Rabat – The hosting of the UNESCO Global Geoparks event in September solidifies Morocco’s role within the Arab and African regions as a leader in safeguarding natural resources, Morocco’s permanent representative to UNESCO Samir Daher said.
In an interview, Daher said that the decision to host the conference in Marrakech is a significant milestone as it marks the first time the event would be hosted in an Arab or an African country.
According to Daher, the choice reflects UNESCO’s strategic objectives and the global Geoparks network’s mandate to promote the concept of geoparks in Africa and the Arab world.
In a world where only two out of the 195 UNESCO-designated Global Geoparks are in the Arab and African regions – “M’Goun” in Morocco and ‘Ngorongoro-Lengai’ in Tanzania –, choosing Morocco to host the event is a recognition of its pioneering role in the field.
The conference would provide an unprecedented platform for Morocco to reaffirm its leadership in geopark management and sustainable tourism, Daher explained, adding that it would also serve as an avenue to share expertise with neighboring Arab and African nations and foster regional cooperation and collaboration under the principles of South-South cooperation.
In the spotlight of the event is the “M’Goun” Geopark, which was chosen as Africa’s first geopark in 2014.
Out of several competing nations, including France, Brazil, and Mexico, Morocco’s dossier for ‘“M’Goun” stood out.
The proposal not only met all prerequisites, including technical and budgetary aspects, but also showcased Morocco’s adeptness in geopark management, earth sciences, and communication strategies, among other criteria.
Daher underscored that the selection of the “M’Goun” Geopark reflects the unwavering support from local, municipal, governmental, and ministerial stakeholders.
The comprehensive backing reaffirms “the credibility of Morocco’s approach and our nation’s commitment, guided by the noble directives of His Majesty King Mohammed VI, towards safeguarding our natural, geological, cultural, and architectural heritage, integral to our identity,” he said.
The “M’’Goun” Geopark earned UNESCO’s prestigious global geopark label, a recognition renewed in 2023 by the UNESCO International Geoparks Council, solidifying its position as a leading model in harnessing natural and cultural heritage for sustainable community development.
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