The African National Libraries Forum kicked off on June 10, 2026, in the city of Rabat, Kingdom of Morocco. The Forum is organized by the National Library of the Kingdom of Morocco in cooperation with the Arab League Educational, Cultural and Scientific Organization (ALECSO), under the high patronage of His Majesty King Mohammed VI. The event brought together directors of national libraries, along with experts and specialists in libraries, documentation, and heritage from across Africa.

The opening session was attended by H.E. Dr. Mohamed Ould Amar, Director-General of ALECSO; Ms. Samira El Malizi, Director of the National Library of Morocco; and Mr. Charaf Ahmimed, Director of the UNESCO Regional Office for the Maghreb, in addition to a number of officials, experts, and representatives of African cultural institutions.

During the opening session, Mr. Mustapha Jlok delivered a speech on behalf of the Moroccan Minister of Youth, Culture, and Communication. He emphasized the importance of the Forum as a platform for strengthening African cultural cooperation and exchanging expertise and experiences in managing national libraries and preserving documentary heritage. He also highlighted the vital role of national libraries in safeguarding collective memory and promoting the values of knowledge and openness.

In his remarks, the Director-General of ALECSO stressed that the Forum reflects the shared commitment of African countries to advancing cultural and knowledge cooperation. He underlined the importance of developing modern policies for national libraries that respond to rapid digital transformations and support efforts to preserve heritage and make it accessible to future generations.

For her part, the Director of the National Library of Morocco highlighted the importance of this continental gathering in strengthening ties among African national libraries and promoting the exchange of expertise and best practices in digitization, preservation, documentation, and knowledge management.

The Director of the UNESCO Office for the Maghreb emphasized the need to intensify cooperation among national, regional, and international institutions to protect African documentary heritage, keep pace with technological developments, and leverage the opportunities offered by artificial intelligence in the service of knowledge and culture.

The Forum’s program included a series of scientific sessions and specialized workshops addressing key issues such as the digital transformation of libraries, the preservation of documentary heritage, the development of library services, and the use of modern technologies and artificial intelligence in knowledge management and access.

The organization of this Forum forms part of joint efforts to strengthen African cultural integration and reinforce the role of national libraries as strategic institutions for preserving collective memory and supporting cultural, scientific, and knowledge-based development across the continent.