Organized by the Chamber of Beirut & Mount Lebanon within the EU-funded ENI CBC MED Program, the iHERITAGE International Conference for UNESCO cultural heritage witnessed an enriching exchange of ideas and showcased innovative projects inspired by heritage and technological advancements.

Rabih Sabra, Director General of the Chamber of Beirut & Mount Lebanon, delivered the opening welcome remarks and shed light on the instrumental role of the Chamber in the iHERITAGE innovation journey. The event continued with keynotes delivered by Alessia Squarcella (EU Delegation in Lebanon), Lutecia El Beaini (JTS-ENI CBC MED representative), Juan Antonio Belmonte (International Astronomical Union), Elena Constantinou (UNESCO – Beirut office), and Ralph Saliba, Vice President of Byblos Municipality, who shared their insights on the importance of preserving and innovating around cultural heritage.

The conference's second session included the Project Presentations: Lucio Tambuzzo, Artistic Director of iHERITAGE, offered a comprehensive overview of the iHERITAGE concept and the message behind it in the Mediterranean, followed by Hana Nehme, Director of Projects, who detailed the project's unprecedented achievements and milestones in Lebanon. The Academic Statement by Dr. Marcel Hinain from the American University of Technology emphasized the academic implications in scientific research and future prospects of iHERITAGE.

The Showcase of AR/VR Innovations started with presentations on cutting-edge AR/VR applications in heritage preservation that stole the limelight. Dr. Annie Tohmé presented the intangible iHERITAGE 50 elements record, while Kabalan Samaha from CRE8MANIA introduced the stunning Archaeo Video Game set up in Byblos. Evan Fakhoury from 1 Tribe amazed attendees with a virtual archaeological reconstructions application, and Marc Raphael from YAAY took everyone on an AR/VR guided tour in Byblos' historic site.

A special segment led by Dory Abou Saab, IT & Communication Manager, and expert Bilal Zahalan, was dedicated to introducing nine spin-off subgranted initiatives. These creative projects are inspired by the melding of cultural heritage with innovation, highlighting the future potential of such collaborations.

The event concluded with a promising roadmap for Lebanon's collaboration with UNESCO and a heartfelt vote of thanks. The energy and engagement during the conference underscored the vital role of integrating cultural heritage with modern technological tools. The iHERITAGE conference has undoubtedly set a benchmark for future initiatives in this realm.