Rabat – Morocco has secured a new seat at the table of global cultural preservation.
Today, the North African country was elected vice-president of UNESCO’s Scientific and Technical Advisory Body (STAB), with Azzedine Karra appointed as its representative.
The election took place during the 16th meeting of STAB, held as part of the 10th gathering of States Parties to the 2001 Convention on the Protection of the Underwater Cultural Heritage.
The treaty, often overlooked, plays an important role in shielding ancient shipwrecks, submerging ruins, and other underwater cultural remains from looting and destruction.
STAB brings together 14 international experts tasked with offering technical insight, helping countries put the convention into action, and making sure archaeological rules are respected.
It also helps states develop skills and set up national frameworks to protect submerged heritage.
For Morocco, this recognition is important at all levels. Karra, a specialist in underwater heritage, has been Morocco’s representative at UNESCO since 2013 and was president of STAB in 2017.
His return to head the council demonstrates personal integrity and faith that international partners have in Moroccan skills.
The election sends a strong message of Morocco’s growing presence in UNESCO. It also sends the broader message of the country’s dedication to protecting heritage.
Through Karra’s new role, Morocco strengthens its position within global cultural diplomacy circles, while contributing concrete knowledge to a field where science, history, and international cooperation meet.
In February, a Moroccan maritime heritage association has identified the locations of nine sunken ships from World War I along the southern coast of Morocco.
These vessels, lost over a century ago, belonged to different countries, such as Japan, Norway, France, Britain, Portugal, and Italy.
