Zohour Alaoui ‹ › Morocco has been unanimously elected, through its ambassador to Berlin, Zohour Alaoui, to chair the Governing Board of the UNESCO Institute for Lifelong Learning (UIL) for the 2026–2028 term. The election followed the conclusion of the 21st meeting of the UIL Governing Board, recently held in Hamburg, during which former Costa Rican Vice President and Foreign Minister Epsy Campbell Barr was also elected vice-chair of the institute. Zohour Alaoui's appointment reflects international recognition of Morocco's commitment to education as a key pillar of peace and sustainable development. The election further reinforces Morocco's active role within UNESCO and the UIL, notably through its hosting of the seventh International Conference on Adult Education (CONFINTEA VII) in June 2022 in Marrakech. The conference resulted in the adoption of the Marrakech Framework and the creation of the African Foundation for Lifelong Learning. During the 21st board meeting, the cities of Oujda and Casablanca were added to the UNESCO Global Network of Learning Cities, in recognition of their efforts to make education for all, at all ages, a local reality. Fez, Agadir, and Essaouira have also been members of the network since 2023.
