Seychelles attends ministerial meeting on culture in Morocco |05 June 2023

Seychelles, along with other African countries, have pledged their commitment to reinforce their cultural cooperation through the 'Declaration of Rabat', made during the Morocco African Ministerial Meeting of Culture held on May 22 in Morocco.

Seychelles was represented at the meeting by the secretary general of the Seychelles National Institute for Culture, Heritage and the Arts, David André, and the institute's executive director for International Cooperation, Miera Savy.

The meeting was to establish the fundamental frameworks for enhancing cultural cooperation among African countries and to deliberate on the necessary mechanisms for the development of their common cultural efforts.

The pledges include reaffirming their commitment to further exchange experience and expertise on preserving cultural heritage and protecting intellectual property rights of all African countries and recalling the importance of preserving the intangible cultural heritage of all countries.

They also stressed on the importance of cultural diplomacy to serve continental integration and emphasised the importance of institutionalising the meeting of cultural ministers on the continent.

The Declaration of Rabat also called for the adoption of an African charter of cultural and creative industries.

Seychelles was among thirty countries that attended the meeting in Morocco considered as the Capital of African culture for 2022-2023.

The accompanying photos show some highlights of the meeting.

Compiled by Patsy Canaya