Morocco hosted the 24th session of the “Conference of Ministers Responsible for Cultural Affairs in the Arab World” on Wednesday, focusing on the theme “Cultural and Creative Industries: Challenges of Digital Transformation and Artificial Intelligence.”
The event, held in Rabat, was accompanied by a mini-exhibition showcasing historical Moroccan manuscripts written in Arabic calligraphy, along with textiles, books, and Palestinian exhibits. The exhibition also featured initiatives by the Bayt Mal Al-Quds Agency aimed at educating children about Palestine.
Morocco took over the presidency of this year’s conference from Saudi Arabia. Raakan bin Ibrahim Al-Touq, Saudi Arabia’s Assistant Minister of Culture, emphasized the pivotal role of culture in shaping identity and history. He highlighted technology’s transformative impact across sectors, presenting it as an opportunity for cultural innovation. Al-Touq also reflected on Saudi Arabia’s initiatives during its leadership to support cultural industries and promote environmental sustainability.
Mohamed Mehdi Bensaid, Morocco’s Minister of Youth, Culture, and Communication, reaffirmed the country’s commitment to active participation in Arab cultural collaboration, inspired by King Mohammed VI’s vision for pragmatic and regionally beneficial action.
“Cultural and creative industries were chosen as the theme of this conference to reflect Morocco’s strategic focus on human capital development, sustainable development, and participatory democracy,” Bensaid noted. He emphasized the integration of culture as a central pillar of Morocco’s economic strategy, supported by legislative and organizational advancements.
The minister referenced Morocco’s national conferences on cultural and creative industries and highlighted the upcoming FIFA World Cup 2030, which Morocco will co-host with Spain and Portugal, as an opportunity to further showcase Arab cultural brilliance.
Key Proposals and Initiatives
Morocco introduced a set of ambitious proposals at the conference, including:
- Establishing a Permanent Professional Platform: A space for exchanging visions and expertise in cultural and creative industries across the Arab world.
- Organizing an Arab Forum for Creative Industries: The forum’s first edition would be held in Morocco, with subsequent editions rotating among Arab nations to promote regional collaboration.
- Forming a Unified Arab Coalition: This coalition would negotiate with social media platforms to combat fake news, extremism, and divisive narratives while defending Arab regional issues, particularly the Palestinian cause.
Regional and Cultural Unity
Mohamed Ould Amar, Director-General of the Arab League Educational, Cultural, and Scientific Organization (ALECSO), praised Morocco’s efforts to strengthen Arab unity. He stressed the significance of bolstering cultural industries and the creative economy, identifying these sectors as pivotal to achieving sustainable development goals.
Ould Amar called for the establishment of a “Common Arab Cultural Market” to facilitate the free exchange of cultural goods and services, emphasizing the importance of peace, security, and tolerance while preserving Arab identity and heritage.
The conference concluded with a renewed commitment to fostering cultural and creative industries, leveraging digital transformation, and addressing regional challenges through collaborative action.
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