This Wednesday, January 15, Morocco took the lead in the 24th edition of the Conference of Ministers Responsible for Cultural Affairs in the Arab Worldwhich aims to strengthen Arab cultural cooperation. The event, organized in Rabat, takes place under the theme: “Cultural and creative industries facing the challenges of digital transformation and artificial intelligence”.
An event rich in heritage and symbolism
This new edition is accompanied by an exhibition presenting historical manuscripts in Moroccan Arabic calligraphy, preserved in Moroccan libraries, notably at the National Library. There are also Palestinian textiles, books and works, as well as Moroccan initiatives intended to raise children’s awareness of the Palestinian cause, under the aegis of the Bayt Mal Al-Quds Acharif Foundation.
Morocco took over the presidency of this session from Saudi Arabia, represented by Rakan bin Ibrahim Al-Touq, assistant to the Saudi Minister of Culture. The latter underlined the importance of culture as a “fundamental pillar of our identity and our history” and spoke of the opportunities offered by digital transformation for the cultural sector, while recalling Saudi initiatives to support cultural industries and promote Arab participation in global solutions, particularly in ecological matters.
A pragmatic and committed Moroccan vision
The Moroccan Minister of Youth, Culture and Communication, Mohamed Mehdi Bensaid, reaffirmed Morocco’s commitment to “pragmatic and realistic Arab cooperation”, in accordance with the vision of King Mohammed VI, who advocates concrete actions serving the interests of the region.
The minister recalled that the choice of cultural and creative industries as the theme of the congress is part of a national strategy, guided by royal directives, aimed at enhancing human capital through legislative and organizational reforms, particularly in terms of sustainability and of participatory democracy.
Moroccan initiatives and proposals
Minister Bensaid also mentioned the two national conferences on cultural and creative industries already organized in Morocco, while raising the prospect of the 2030 World Cup, which will pass through Morocco before continuing in Saudi Arabia.
Among the Moroccan proposals are:
- The creation of a permanent professional space dedicated to the cultural and creative industriesallowing the exchange of ideas and experiences between actors in the Arab world.
- The organization of the first Cultural and Creative Industries Forum in the Arab worldthe first edition of which would take place in Morocco, before being held in other Arab countries.
- The establishment of a unified Arab coalition to negotiate with digital platformsfight against false information, extremism and separatism, while defending regional causes, with priority given to Palestinein accordance with the constant positions of Morocco under the leadership of King Mohammed VI, president of the Al-Quds Committee.
The importance of cultural industries and Arab unity
The Director General of the Arab Educational, Cultural and Scientific Organization (ALECSO), Mohamed Ould Amar, praised Morocco for its support for Arab unity and its hospitality. He highlighted the central role of cultural industries and the creative economy in achieving sustainable development goals.
He also underlined the need to realize the project of a “common Arab cultural market”, guaranteeing the free circulation of cultural goods and products between Arab countries, while promoting values of peace, tolerance and coexistence, without renouncing to the foundations of Arab identity and civilization.
This conference reflects Morocco’s commitment to playing a leading role in strengthening Arab cultural cooperation and in promoting creative industries as a driver of development and international influence. It also demonstrates the desire to promote collective solutions to meet the challenges of digital technology and cultural changes in the Arab world.
The editorial team/Le7tv
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