Morocco’s Head of Government Aziz Akhannouch on Thursday welcomed UNESCO Director-General Audrey Azoulay to celebrate the 10th anniversary of Rabat’s becoming a world heritage site.

Morocco, UNESCO Celebrate 10th Anniversary of Rabat as World Heritage Site

Rabat – Morocco’s Head of Government Aziz Akhannouch on Thursday welcomed UNESCO Director-General Audrey Azoulay to celebrate the 10th anniversary of Rabat’s becoming a world heritage site.

Minister of Youth, Culture, and Communication Mohamed Mehdi Bensaid and Director of UNESCO’s Maghreb Office Karim Hendili joined the two officials to review Moroccan efforts on preserving cultural heritage sites.

During the visit, the officials stressed the importance of cooperation between UNESCO and Morocco.

Akhannouch commended the efforts of the international organization in reinforcing the fundamentals of “peace, security, and coexistence between people.”

Highlighting UNESCO’s priority sectors, the head of government noted that the Kingdom values as well the fields of education, culture, and heritage.

Azoulay commended Morocco’s support of UNESCO initiatives in the North African country, pledging continuous cooperation in areas of shared interest.

In 1991, UNESCO opened its Maghreb office in Rabat, covering Morocco, Algeria, Tunisia, Mauritania, and Libya.

Morocco and UNESCO have launched several programs around education, culture, and heritage. The North African country now chairs the organization’s intangible heritage committee.

UNESCO has listed 1,052 places as World Heritage Sites in Morocco – since the launch of the program in 1972.

Morocco’s Minister of Higher Education, Scientific Research and Innovation Abdellatif Miraoui reiterated, in February, his country’s commitment to cooperate with UNESCO to promote inclusive education, a core objective of the Kingdom’s ambitious New Development Model.