Rabat, ‘a cultural crossroads’, is named UNESCO World Book Capital 2026

By Editor

THE Director-General of United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) Audrey Azoulay has officially named Rabat, the capital of Morocco, as the World Book Capital for 2026 to celebrate the city’s cultural vibrancy and its commitment to literacy and education. The announcement follows a recommendation from the World Book Capital Advisory Committee, which selected Rabat for its dynamic approach to promoting reading and fostering the local publishing industry.

Azoulay praised Rabat as a “cultural crossroads” where books play a critical role in spreading knowledge and the arts. According to her, “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.”

Home to 54 publishing houses, Rabat has increasingly stood out in the African literary scene and hosts the continent’s third-largest international book and publishing fair. The city’s expanding network of bookstores reflects a robust creative economy that not only celebrates local literature but also works to democratize access to knowledge for all citizens.

UNESCO and its advisory committee, which includes representatives from international organizations such as the International Authors Forum, the International Federation of Library Associations, and the International Publishers Association, lauded Rabat’s efforts to empower women and youth through reading initiatives. They noted the city’s strong commitment to combatting illiteracy, particularly among underserved communities.

In its role as the World Book Capital, Rabat will launch a series of ambitious projects aimed at boosting the local publishing sector and promoting reading for social and economic growth. A major literacy campaign will be at the heart of these efforts, with programmes designed to improve literacy rates across all demographics. These activities will kick off on April 23, 2026, in conjunction with World Book and Copyright Day, marking the beginning of a year-long celebration.

Rabat is the 26th city to receive the prestigious World Book Capital title since the programme began in 2001. It follows a distinguished list of cities, including Madrid, New Delhi, Montreal, Buenos Aires, and more recently, Accra and Strasbourg. Each designated city carries the responsibility of promoting reading and organizing events that encourage a culture of reading across diverse groups, both within and beyond its borders. The World Book Capital designation is part of UNESCO’s efforts to support literary development worldwide. Through this title, UNESCO aims to empower cities to build more inclusive societies where knowledge is accessible to all.

Rabat joins other African cities that have earned the prestugious status of World Book Capital after Alexandria (2002), Port Harcourt (2014), Conakry (2017) and Ghana (2023) being the last city. While Strasbourg, France is the current UNESCO World Book Capital, Rabat will succeed Rio de Janeiro, Brazil (2025) as World Book Capital in 2026.

Director-General of UNESCO, Audrey Azuolay