The Cultural Forum held in celebration of the International Day of Argania kicked off on Friday, May 13, 2022, in Essaouira. The event is organized by the Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ICESCO) in cooperation with the Foundation of Essaouira’s Women for Economic Development in the Kingdom of Morocco.

The three-day Forum, which took place at the social hall of the Essaouira-Mogador Association, saw the attendance of Mr. André Azoulay, Advisor to His Majesty King Mohammed VI; Ms. Aawatif Hayar, Minister of Solidarity, Social Integration and Family; Dr. Salim M. AlMalik, ICESCO Director-General (DG), in addition to several high-ranking officials, conservation and environment specialists and cooperatives.

The Forum opened with the recitation of verses from the Holy Quran, followed by the remarks of Ms. Raja Bourhim, President of the Foundation, who thanked the participants for attending the event, noting that the Foundation provides training and support to cooperatives to enhance the value of the Argan tree.

Ms. Aawatif Hayar’s then delivered an address in which she reviewed the achievements of the Kingdom of Morocco in promoting women’s rights and contributing to sustainable development. She also underscored the urgent need to preserve and promote the argan tree as a valuable economic asset, commending women’s efforts in this respect.

For his part, Dr. Salim M. AlMalik commended the generosity and hospitality of the people of Essaouira and the city’s abundant civilizational and cultural diversity.

The Director-General noted that the argan tree has become an emblem of Essaouira, a city that works tirelessly to produce food and medicine from this valuable tree. “The celebration of the International Day of Argania is a celebration of Essaouira’s civilizational richness and an opportunity to reflect on the importance that ICESCO attaches to civilizational dialogue” added ICESCO DG.

At the close of his address, Dr. AlMalik announced that ICESCO will conduct a foresight study on the future of the city of Essaouira according to the new development model and will build fruitful cooperation with the Foundation of Essaouira’s Women for Economic Development to serve the local community.

Various directors of national agencies and experts delivered their addresses and emphasized the importance of promoting the value of the argan tree.

Participants then visited the exhibition of traditional women’s clothing in the Islamic world, which is held on the sidelines of the Forum.