Morocco’s Minister of Youth, Culture, and Communication Mehdi Bensaid on Friday met with Audrey Azoulay, the director-general of the United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization (UNESCO).

Minister Bensaid, Audrey Azoulay Discuss Means to Strengthen Morocco-UNESCO Partnership

Rabat – Morocco’s Minister of Youth, Culture, and Communication Mehdi Bensaid on Friday met with Audrey Azoulay, the director-general of the United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization (UNESCO).

The pair met to mark the ten year anniversary of Rabat becoming a World Heritage Site and discussed ways to further develop the Morocco-UNESCO partnership.

During the meeting, the two officials focused on the kingdom’s plans to launch a new law aimed at protecting cultural heritage sites based on the UNESCO Conventions on world heritage signed in 1972.

Bensaid conveyed the country’s readiness to host the 17th conference of the UNESCO Intangible Heritage Committee at the end of 2022.

Morocco was unanimously elected by the 24 member states of the Intergovernmental Commission for the Preservation of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of the UN to chair the committee.

Following their meeting, the two officials visited Qasbah des Oudayas, where they launched a ceremony themed “World Heritage: 50 years of universal mobilization, 10 years of commitment in Rabat, a year of celebrations in Morocco.”

The ceremony was broadcast in five regions of the Kingdom, as well as at nine Moroccan sites inscribed on the World Heritage List.

Governor of the Rabat-Sale-Kenitra Region Mohammed Yacoubi and mayor of the city of Rabat Asmaa Rhlalou attended the ceremony.

The event was an opportunity to highlight Morocco’s sustained efforts and commitment to preserve its heritage sites.

The ceremony also comes in recognition of the implementation of the “Rabat Capital of Culture, City of Lights” initiative, aimed at reducing traffic congestion, improving road safety, and having a positive impact on the environment.

To commemorate the 10th anniversary of Rabat as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, a series of exhibitions, cultural seminars, and activities are set to take place to enhance the heritage of a city that draws its authenticity from a rich centuries-old history to build its present and future.