Marrakech – The Board of Trustees of the Three Cultures Foundation of the Mediterranean has appointed Mar Ahumada Sánchez as its new Director General.
The decision was made during a meeting held Monday in Seville, co-chaired by André Azoulay, Advisor to King Mohammed VI, and Patricia del Pozo, Andalusia’s Regional Minister of Culture and Sports.
The gathering was attended by notable Moroccan and Spanish figures, including Amina Bouayach, President of Morocco’s National Human Rights Council (CNDH), Karima Benyaich, Ambassador of Morocco to Spain, and Enrique Ojeda, Spanish Ambassador to Morocco.
The Board expressed full support for Ahumada’s appointment, which was proposed by the Andalusian government in accordance with the Foundation’s statutes.
In her remarks, Ahumada expressed deep gratitude to the Board, particularly the co-presidents, for entrusting her with the leadership of what she described as a benchmark institution for cultural diplomacy in the Mediterranean.
She emphasized her commitment to continuing the Foundation’s mission of promoting dialogue and coexistence through cultural initiatives.
André Azoulay praised the productive nature of the meeting, noting that the Foundation, which recently celebrated its 25th anniversary, is now entering a phase of significant maturity.
“In the coming months, the Foundation’s anchoring in the defense and promotion of the richness of all our diversities, serving as a bridge between our identities, histories, and spiritualities, will be more valuable than ever,” he stated.
The meeting also saw the co-optation of Lahcen Essaadi, Secretary of State in charge of Handicrafts and the Social and Solidarity Economy in Morocco, as a new member of the Foundation’s Board.
Essaadi highlighted the foundation’s substantial contributions to intercultural dialogue, noting that its programs have strengthened trust, mutual understanding, and the shared Mediterranean identity between Morocco and Andalusia.
A former member of the Board, Ahumada previously held senior roles within the Andalusian regional administration.
She brings a strong commitment to cultural diversity and social inclusion to her new role.
Her appointment comes at a pivotal time for the Foundation, which was recently designated as a UNESCO Category 2 Center.
Upcoming priorities include the full rehabilitation of its headquarters, Hassan II Pavilion, formerly Morocco’s pavilion at Expo ’92, an ambitious project expected to be a flagship achievement entering 2026.
