Through its participation in COP28, the Foundation aims to strengthen the role of culture in discussions on resilience to climate change, particularly tangible and intangible cultural heritage.
In this context, the Foundation organized its first meeting on December 2, 2023, at the Blue Zone in partnership with Philanthropy Cortes Solari, themed "Intangible Heritage and Sustainable Development" at the Pavilion Science for Climate Action.
This event highlighted the significant role that local practices, ancestral know-how, and traditions play in sustainable approaches to adapting to climate change. The meeting also focused on the trajectories of technological innovation and research offered by intangible heritage to address contemporary challenges and ensure environmental sustainability.
The second meeting, addressing the tangible cultural heritage, took place on Tuesday at the Blue Zone with the Paris Committee on Capacity Building, under the theme "Resilience Lessons in African Heritage Sites: Contribution to the Search for Innovative Solutions and Capacity Building for Various Stakeholders," part of the 5th Capacity-building hub.
This meeting brought together experts from different countries to discuss resilience in historic centers in Africa, examining heritage sites facing climate change and analyzing risk mitigation processes in architecture and urban planning.
The session shed light on the role of different representations of intangible heritage and the local community in the sustainability and sustainable management of the heritage values of historical sites, with an emphasis on innovative perspectives of technology and digitization in adapting ancestral responsible methods to contemporary challenges.
The organization of these significant activities at COP28 strengthens one of the main missions carried out by the Foundation for the Safeguarding of Cultural Heritage in Rabat by bringing together various actors and stakeholders in cultural heritage: professionals, institutions, NGOs, experts, and academics, among others.
These two meetings are part of the "Workshops of the Foundation" program, which takes various forms (workshops, meetings, conferences, and roundtable discussions) and promotes the circulation of expertise, information, and best practices while reinforcing networks and encouraging collaborations and partnerships.
Established at the initiative of HM King Mohammed VI and under the effective presidency of HRH Princess Lalla Hasnaa, the Foundation for the Safeguarding of Cultural Heritage in Rabat is dedicated to preserving the cultural heritage of Rabat, especially those explicitly listed on the UNESCO World Heritage list since 2012.
Driven by Her Royal Highness's commitment to education and awareness of cultural heritage, the Foundation envisions the preservation of this heritage in a continuous process, bringing together stakeholders.
Moreover, the Foundation develops programs around three foundational axes - educate, raise awareness, and unite. Its actions converge to ensure that Rabat's heritage operates as a powerful lever for inclusion and cohesion, as well as a driver of social, economic, and cultural development.