Rabat named World Book Capital 2026 by UNESCO

Rabat has been designated "World Book Capital 2026" by UNESCO, an announcement made during the launch of the 31st International Publishing and Book Fair. This recognition positions Rabat as a major center for knowledge, creativity, and intercultural dialogue. Mehdi Bensaïd, the Minister of Youth, Culture, and Communication, emphasized that this distinction is a "proclamation of the triumph of knowledge," aiming to make culture accessible to all. He also acknowledged the contributions of booksellers in the medina for promoting reading. Fatima El Moudni, the Mayor of Rabat, stated that this honor supports a civilizational project focused on promoting reading, valuing knowledge, and strengthening social cohesion, highlighting Rabat's rich history and its 2012 UNESCO World Heritage site inscription. Rachid El Abdi, President of the Rabat-Salé-Kénitra Regional Council, stressed the role of culture in territorial development and the integration of cultural policies into regional strategies to make books a lever for economic and social development. Charaf Hmimid, Director of the UNESCO Regional Office for the Maghreb, noted that Rabat is the 25th city to join the network of World Book Capitals, recognizing the city's strategic vision and concrete achievements in its dynamic book ecosystem, which includes publishers, bookstores, and academic institutions. France, as the guest of honor at the upcoming International Publishing and Book Fair, will participate in this cultural ambition.