Conference of ministers name Rabat  Capital of African Culture  

Rising at the gathering of Ministers of Culture and Heads of  Delegations of African countries, participants have named Rabat, the Moroccan capital as the Capital of African Culture  for 2022-2023.

The meeting resolved to establish the fundamental frameworks for enhancing cultural cooperation among African nations and to deliberate on the necessary mechanisms for the development of common cultural efforts for Africans both for the present and  the future.

The role of the Moroccan monarch, His Majesty King Mohammed VI, in enhancing South-South cooperation and supporting the inclusive development in the African continent was well acknowledged by the gathering.

The meeting of the African ministers of culture emphasise the leading role of Morocco in countering violence and preventing extremism, and fighting against separatism, as well as in establishing a continent wide-peace and security.

It underlined the strategic importance of culture in building inclusive knowledge societies, fostering understanding and convergence, and contributing to inclusive and sustainable growth efforts in Africa.

It also acknowledged the capital role of cultural co-operation in combating poverty and reinforcing social cohesion among the citizens of Africa.

Regarding the health situations, the African ministers acknowledged the efforts undertaken by governments and cultural bodies in African in alleviating the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Also noted is the strong cooperation between Morocco and UNESCO regarding the fields of protection and promotion of tangible and intangible cultural heritage in  African countries. The ministers emphasised the importance of respecting cultural diversity, linguistic plurality, and promoting inter-cultural dialogue, as well as guaranteeing free movement rights for artists and professionals to travel and work across the African continent.

It reaffirmed the commitment to fighting illicit trafficking of African cultural properties and works of art and processing to their recovery.

The African culture ministers in Morocco called for the need to consolidate the role of African youth in Africa and in the diaspora  regarding issues related to African cultural heritage preservation and safeguarding.