Fez — Zohour Alaoui, Morocco’s ambassador to Germany, has been unanimously elected president of the Board of Governors of the UNESCO Institute for Lifelong Learning (UIL) for the 2026–2028 mandate, Moroccan officials announced on Tuesday.
The election took place at the conclusion of the 21st meeting of the UIL Governing Board, recently held in Hamburg. During the same session, former Costa Rican vice president and foreign minister Epsy Campbell Barr was elected vice president of the board.
International recognition of Morocco’s education agenda
Alaoui’s unanimous election is widely seen as recognition of Morocco’s sustained engagement in promoting education as a pillar of peace, social cohesion, and sustainable development. It also highlights the role played by King Mohammed VI in positioning education and lifelong learning as strategic national priorities with international reach.
The appointment further consolidates Morocco’s active role within UNESCO, particularly in the field of adult education and lifelong learning, areas that have gained renewed global attention amid demographic, technological, and social transformations.
Building on the Marrakech legacy
Morocco’s leadership within the UIL builds on its hosting of the 7th International Conference on Adult Education (CONFINTEA VII) in Marrakech in June 2022. That landmark event resulted in the adoption of the Marrakech Framework for Action and the creation of the African Foundation for Lifelong Learning, both of which strengthened the continent’s voice in global education debates.
Officials note that these initiatives positioned Morocco as a reference point for lifelong learning strategies that link education with employability, citizenship, and inclusive development.
Moroccan cities gain global recognition
The 21st UIL Governing Board meeting also expanded the UNESCO Global Network of Learning Cities, adding Oujda and Casablanca in recognition of their efforts to make education accessible to all ages at the local level.
They join Fez, Agadir, and Essaouira, which have been members of the network since 2023, further strengthening Morocco’s footprint within UNESCO’s urban learning initiatives.
A strategic mandate ahead
As president of the UIL Board, Alaoui will oversee strategic orientations related to lifelong learning policies, international cooperation, and research-driven approaches to adult education. Observers say her mandate comes at a critical time, as countries seek education models that respond to inequality, digital transitions, and lifelong skills development.
Her election signals Morocco’s intention to remain an active contributor to shaping global education policy — bridging national experience with international dialogue and reinforcing lifelong learning as a shared global responsibility.
