Second International Scientific Congress
Beirut, Lebanon, September 21-23, 2004

The Surveying Sciences and Their Role in Economic and Social Development Plans

The Ordré des Topographes du Liban organised the 2nd International Scientific Congress on surveying and topography at he Metropolitan Hotel in Beirut 21-23 September 2004. The first conference was organised in September 2001. FIG was co-sponsoring this important event in the Arab world as in 2001. This time the second main organisational co-sponsor was the Arab Union of Surveyors (AUS) which also held its Board meeting in Beirut.

The conference attracted totally about 400 participants. The international participants represented 14 Arab countries and 7 European countries. FIG was represented by President Holger Magel, who gave a keynote presentation at the opening ceremony on "FIG Meets the Arab World of Surveyors" and by Klaus Rürup, Chair of FIG Commission 1, who also represented CLGE as its President. Further Markku Villikka, Director of FIG office attended the conference.

The conference was organised under the high patronage of His Excellency The President of the Republic of Lebanon General Emile Laahoud, who also invited the international representatives to a visit in the Presidential Palace during the conference. At the opening and closing ceremonies the Lebanese government was represented by Ministers , Deputy Ministers and MPs. It was easy to understand how well the Order of Lebanese Seuveyors is respected by the decision-makers in the country that is still recovering from the hard times after the civil war. The key-player in promoting the profile of surveyors has been Dr. Sarkis Fadous, President of the Order of Lebanese Surveyors. In addition to Dr. Fadous that other keyperson behind the conference was Mr. Yaacoub Saade, the Congress Director. Mr Saade, who has also been elected as the chair elect of FIG Commission 1, gave an interesting presentation in the conference about the Role of a Surveyor - A Human Vision beyond the Technique.

Picture Gallery from the conference

The organising committee chaired by Dr. Sarkis Fadous welcoming the participants at the Metropolitan Hotel.	Audience waiting at the ball room for the conference to start.
Audience at the opening ceremony - Syrian delegation in the front.	Keynote speakers at the opening session.
Representative of the Lebanese President and Ministers at the opening.	Dr. Sarkis Fadous, President of the Order of Lebanese Surveyors.
President Holger Magel giving his opening address.	President Magel and Yaacoub Saade and the new FIG flag produced by the Order of Lebanese Surveyors.
President Magel and Klaus Rürup and the conference map.	Yaacoub Saade, Chair Elect of Commission 1 giving his presentation.
President Fadous, Minister of Finance Mr F. Sanyoura and President Magel opening the exhibition.	Commercial exhibition was a big success - as empty as this only before the opening in the morning.
President Magel together with the Algerian delegation led by M. A. Ben Issa, President of the Order of Algerian Surveyors and President Fadous.	President Magel had also discussions on the arrangements of the FIG working week in Cairo in April together with Dr. Dalal S. Alnaggar and Dr. Mohsen Badawy.
Klaus Rürup and Dr. Dalal S. Alnaggar.	Audience at the closing ceremony.
President Magel giving his closing remarks.	The recommendations and final statement of the conference were given by Aziz Hilali, Vice President of the Arab Union of Surveyors.
Aziz Hilali, Holger Magel and Sarkis Fadous waiting for Gen. Emile Lahoud, President of the Republic of Lebanon.	H. E. President Gen. Lahoud greeting presidents of FIG and AUS.
... and delegations from the Arab countries.	President Magel making his speech at the Presidential Palace.
Group photograph after the reception with President Gen. Lahoud.	President Magel given the FIG globe to Dr. Fadous.
Conference cake.
The old town of Beirut has been rebuilt after the war in the pre-war style. Lebanon just received an award from UN -Habitat in rebuilding the country.	President and Ansi Magel visited also a local surveying company (Ets Melhem Osta) during their visit to Lebanon.
Archaeological surveys in Baalbeck - Prof. Ritter from TU Gottbus with his assistant and President Magel.	Surveyor in his work.
You cannot visit Lebanon without seeing the thousands of years old cedars.	The protected cider woods cover about 5 per cent of the area of Lebanon - President Magel visited the Barouk Cedar Forest at Massief El Mir Site.
Typical lunch in Chouf in Lebanon ... no need to mention that the social events were top throughout the conference.