Partnership to Promote Peace.. African Tourism Board Signs Memorandum of Understanding in Morocco

Written by Ziad Abdel Fattah:

The city witnessed Casablanca Moroccan, signing a Memorandum of Understanding between the African Tourism Board and the Rotary International Districts Leadership, on the sidelines of the Third African Peace Forum, in a move aimed at strengthening cooperation in the fields of sustainable tourism, peacebuilding, cultural exchange, and people-to-people diplomacy at the continental level.

The forum, hosted by Casablanca, brought together Rotary leaders, diplomats, tourism experts, business leaders, and representatives of civil society from various African and global countries to discuss ways to leverage dialogue, cooperation, and sustainable development in supporting peace on the continent.

The forum was chaired by Anne Marie Mostert, the new Chair of the Rotary International Coordinating Committee for 2026-2028, in the presence of representatives from the office of His Majesty King Mohammed VI of Morocco, along with a number of current and former Rotary district governors and organization leaders from various countries.

Egyptian participation

The forum witnessed Egyptian participation, including Nancy Abdel Hadi, Chief Operating Officer of the African Tourism Board, Dr. Abdel Hamid El-Awa, Past District Governor of Rotary District 2451, and Mariam Fayez, Past President of a Rotary Club.

Nancy Abdel Hadi affirmed, during her keynote speech titled “From Dialogue to Action: Sustainable Peace Through People's Diplomacy,” that tourism is one of the most effective tools in promoting peace and understanding between peoples. She pointed out that peacebuilding does not depend solely on governments and institutions, but begins with human connection, cultural exchange, and partnerships between communities.

The vision of the African Tourism Board, based on promoting Africa as a unified tourist destination, was reviewed, clarifying that the tourism sector is a pillar for supporting local economies, empowering communities, and enhancing cultural understanding among the continent's countries.

Strategic framework for cooperation in 5 areas

The signing of the Memorandum of Understanding between the African Tourism Board and the Rotary International Executive Board establishes a strategic framework for cooperation in the fields of sustainable tourism, peacebuilding, youth engagement, community development, and the promotion of people-to-people diplomacy across Africa.

Abd al-Hadi said that the agreement represents the beginning of a practical partnership aimed at transforming dialogue into tangible initiatives that contribute to consolidating peace through tourism, service, and community work.

On the sidelines of the forum, participants witnessed the ceremony of handing over the leadership of Rotary District 9010 in Morocco and the inauguration of the new governor, Younes Sayeh. The African Tourism Council also organized events to showcase African heritage and cultures by presenting products and handicrafts that reflect the continent's cultural diversity.

Social events

The forum was also interspersed with social events that brought participants together to watch the FIFA World Cup matches. Attendees celebrated the victories of Egypt and Morocco and their qualification to the next round, in a scene that reflected the spirit of solidarity and unity among the participating African delegations.

Egypt's participation in the forum comes as part of the growing role played by the African Tourism Board, which includes a number of Egyptian competencies in its leadership, including CEO Ambassador Ramy Wahid, former Egyptian Minister of Tourism Hisham Zaazou, alongside Nancy Abdel Hadi, reflecting Egypt's increasing presence in supporting tourism and development initiatives across the continent.