The ceremony to present Rabat with this new award was attended by the Deputy Head of Mission at the Moroccan Embassy in Rome, as well as eminent figures from the political, sporting, cultural, artistic and media realms around the Mediterranean.

Speaking on the occasion, El Moudni emphasized that this award was the latest in a series of distinctions recognizing the importance of the capital city's commitment to co-development and sustainability, as well as to building a more equitable, harmonious and inclusive society, placing the citizen at the heart of its strategy and preserving its resources and environment.

This is another milestone on the path to an inclusive and sustainable future, thanks to the enlightened Vision and High Guidelines of HM King Mohammed VI, who launched a number of structuring initiatives and projects, notably the Royal Integrated Program “Rabat City of Light, Moroccan Capital of Culture”.

This program has helped to breathe new socio-economic momentum into the region, enhancing its attractiveness and strengthening its tourism vocation, El Moudni added.

She emphasized that under the leadership of His Majesty the King, the city of Rabat has undergone a metamorphosis towards a green, inclusive and resilient urban environment.

“The Mediterranean Award for Excellence is the fruit of close strategic collaboration between the city of Rabat, on the one hand, and the Wilaya of the Rabat-Salé-Kénitra region, key ministerial departments, the private sector - particularly local development companies - and all players in the associative realm, on the other,” El Moudni explained .

The city of Rabat had previously won the prestigious UN-Habitat Scroll of Honor Award for its innovative program, and was designated by UNESCO as World Book Capital for 2026.