The Kingdom of Morocco will host the United Nations Alliance of Civilizations 9th Global Forum in the historic city of Fez, on the 22nd and 23rd of November 2022.

The announcement was made in a press stakeout following a bilateral meeting at the Permanent Mission of Morocco in New York between H.E. Mr. Nasser Bourita, Minister of Foreign Affairs, African Cooperation and Moroccan Expatriates of the Kingdom of Morocco and Under-Secretary-General H.E. Mr. Miguel Angel Moratinos, the High Representative for the United Nations Alliance of Civilizations.

The UNAOC High Representative presented his deep appreciation and warm thanks to His Majesty King Mohammed VI for having kindly accepted hosting this important international event. He added that the Secretary-General of the United Nations, Mr. Antonio Guterres will participate in the forum.

Expressing his gratitude for the leadership and support of “His Majesty King Mohammed VI and the Kingdom of Morocco” to host this global event, the High Representative of UNAOC added that: “the city of Fez was chosen in view of its ancestral character and its spiritual symbolism.”

The Forum takes place against the backdrop of an extremely challenging global context marked by a wide array of global challenges ranging from the surge in violent extremism, terrorism, xenophobia, hate speech to racism, discrimination and radicalism, etc. Thus, finding pathways to peace, unity and solidarity rooted in mutual respect, human dignity and compassion has never been more urgent.

“The 9th Global Forum of UNAOC intends to address many challenging transversal and global issues with a special focus on Africa, a continent that has not yet gained its rightful place when it comes to collective action and global mobilization. Indeed, the choice of the Kingdom of Morocco, and particularly the historic city of Fez to host 9th Global Forum of UNAOC is not a coincidence,” highlighted Minister Bourita.

“The need to save the planet is often mentioned, but we are also required to learn to live together, to respect each other, and to understand the existence of different religions, cultures and civilizations, and Morocco embodies this,” stressed Mr. Moratinos.

The UNAOC High Representative affirmed that: “Holding the 9th UNAOC Global Forum under His Majesty King Mohammed VI High Auspices and deploying joint efforts of the United Nations and Morocco will guarantee its success.”