Morocco has been elected to chair the heritage committee at the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO).
The 24 Member States that make up the Intergovernmental Committee unanimously elected Morocco’s Permanent Delegate to UNESCO Samir Addahre to preside over the committee’s 17th session to be held from November 28 to December.
While renewing its members, UNESCO elected Morocco in 2020 as a member of the Intergovernmental Committee for a four years term, marking the country’s first representative.
The committee is responsible for giving recommendations on measures to safeguard intangible cultural heritage, providing advice on best practices and promoting the objectives of UNESCO’s convention for safeguarding intangible heritage.
UNESCO adopted the Convention for the Safeguarding of the Intangible Heritage in 2003 and it entered into force in 2006.
The committee additionally examines countries’ requests to include their intangible heritage in the UNESCO heritage lists, as well as proposals for programs or projects, and is responsible for providing international assistance.
UNESCO has been focusing on the notion of cultural heritage, with conventions like the 2001 Convention on the Protection of the Underwater Cultural Heritage and the 2005 Convention on the Protection and Promotion of the Diversity of Cultural Expressions.
UNESCO’s Convention for the Safeguarding of Cultural Heritage has as its objectives the protection, conserving, promotion and transmission of culture, heritage and history for better dialogue and development.
The convention in question covers oral traditions and expressions, performing arts, social practices, rituals and festive events, knowledge and practices concerning nature and the universe, and traditional craftsmanship from around the world.
UNESCO World Heritage List includes a number of Morocco’s cultural items, including Tbourida and Gnawa music.
Morocco is home to several UNESCO World Heritage Sites, including Volubilis, Meknes, Ait Benhaddou in Ouarzazate, the windy city of Essaouira, Fez, Marrakech, Tetouan, El Jadida, and Rabat.
