Moroccan minister chairs UN panel on 'Culture & Economic Development'

Moroccan culture minister, Mohamed Amine Sbihi, chaired on Tuesday at the UN headquarters in New York a panel themed “culture and economic development” that focused on experiences and success of integrating culture in national sustainable development strategies. The goal of this panel is to underscore “the economic potential of culture” with a focus on how culture impacts sustainable development, said Sbihi during the meeting held by the International Francophone Organization and the UNESCO. In December 2013, the UN General Assembly adopted a resolution titled “culture and lasting development” that acknowledges the direct link between culture and the three pillars of lasting development (economic, social and environment). The meeting is held as most countries of the Francophone community endorsed the principle that culture should be integrated in the UN post-2015 development agenda, the minister told MAP. Participants noted that culture is a source of income and jobs and contributes to improving living conditions, creating fair economic growth and empowering persons.