UNESCO Names Morocco as the World Book Capital 2026
On October 8, 2024, the Director-General of UNESCO, Audrey Azoulay, announced Rabat, Morocco, as the World Book Capital 2026. This is based on the recommendation of the World Book Capital Advisory Committee.
The World Book Capital is a UNESCO initiative that starts on April 23rd. For a year, it recognizes, promotes, and fosters reading.UNESCO tasks the cities with activities that encourage the culture of reading for all ages while aligning with its values.
In a historic announcement, UNESCO has designated Morocco as the World Book Capital 2026, recognizing the country’s rich literary heritage and ongoing commitment to promoting reading and cultural development. The capital city, Rabat, will host a series of literary events, educational programs, and initiatives throughout the year, reinforcing the global importance of literature and the written word.
Read: Current Trends in Literature and How it Affects Readers and Writers.
UNESCO Director-General Audrey Azoulay stated, “Following Rio de Janeiro in 2025, I am pleased to announce the designation of Rabat as World Book Capital for 2026. Rabat is a cultural crossroads where books help transmit knowledge and the arts in all their diversity. The growing local book industry is also playing a crucial role in advancing education. These actions resonate with UNESCO’s mandate.”
The official statement from the UNESCO website reads as:
With 54 publishing houses, the third largest international book and publishing fair in Africa and a growing number of bookstores, Rabat’s book industry is not only a vital part of the city’s creative economy but also at the forefront of democratizing knowledge.
UNESCO and the World Book Capital Advisory Committee have recognized Rabat for its clear commitment to literary development, the empowerment of women and youth through reading and the fight against illiteracy, especially among underserved communities.
As World Book Capital for 2026, Rabat will roll out a series of initiatives with the aim of fostering sustainable economic growth and social benefits by enhancing access to books and supporting the local publishing industry. In particular, the city will launch a major initiative to reinforce literacy of all its citizens.
The year of celebrations will start on 23 April 2026, on World Book and Copyright Day.
Morocco’s selection follows previous World Book Capitals like Accra (2023), Guadalajara (2022), and Kuala Lumpur (2020), continuing UNESCO’s tradition of promoting global literacy and cultural diversity through this initiative.
