By Peter Kahler
The city of Casablanca in Morocco, Friday launched its candidacy for the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) World Heritage List.  UNESCO in 2013 placed Casablanca on the Tentative List of the World Heritage after the city had submitted a nomination proposal to the UN agency earlier.

Moroccan Culture Minister, Mohammed Amine Sbihi, launched the candidacy of Casablanca at the Wilaya of Grand Casablanca, in the presence of national and international personalities and institutions.

Culture Minister from the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) attended the ceremony, as Special Guests of the Moroccan government.

Minister Sbihi said Casablanca holds proof of the earliest human settlements, noting that the ancient Medina was restored and partially rebuilt during the 18tth century.

He said, the cultural, architectural and historic heritage, marked by modernity, all combine to make Casablanca a Cultural Heritage of universal and exceptional value worth being on the World Heritage List.

Also speaking at the occasion, UNESCO Representative for the Maghreb, Michael Millward, offered the UN agency’s support through the provision of experts to help prepare Casablanca’s candidacy.

“All I can do is to wish this beautiful city Casablanca and the Moroccan people success in their candidacy,” Liberia’s Assistance Minister for Culture, Mrs. Louise McMillian, told the Liberia News Agency shortly after the launch.
LINA PTK