The National Library of the Kingdom of Morocco in Rabat hosted, on June 2-3, 2025, the First Forum of National Libraries in the Arab World, held under the theme of : “Artificial Intelligence in the Service of Libraries and Documentary Heritage.”
This Forum aims to showcase the latest developments in artificial intelligence, including innovations and applications that can effectively contribute to the preservation, analysis, accessibility, and scholarly use of documentary collections and manuscripts held in Arab national libraries.
The Forum officially opened on June 2, 2025, with a welcoming statement by Ms. Samira El Malizi, Director of the National Library of the Kingdom of Morocco. Opening remarks were then offered by H.E. Mr. Mohamed Mehdi Bensaid, Moroccan Minister of Youth, Culture, and Communication; H.E. Dr. Mohamed Ould Amar, Director-General of ALECSO; and Mr. Éric FALT, Director of the UNESCO Office for the Maghreb. The opening session was also addressed by the Directors of the participating Arab national libraries. Sixteen Arab countries took part in the event.
In his speech, the Director-General of ALECSO underlined the importance of the theme chosen for the Forum, in that it bridges heritage with modernity, preserving the collective memory of the Nation while harnessing the latest technologies in this vital field. He highlighted how modern tools contribute to revitalizing documentary heritage, making it more accessible to researchers, to all those interested, and to future generations seeking to preserve their identity in a rapidly changing world. He added that the challenge today goes beyond acquiring technology, and lies in localizing and adapting it to the needs of documentation and libraries, and in training specialists to lead this transformation.
The Forum focused on two key topics: “The Role of Artificial Intelligence in Developing Services in National Libraries” and “Managing Manuscript Heritage: Richness, Diversity, and the Challenges of Preservation and Accessibility.” It also featured discussions on the experiences of Arab national libraries with artificial intelligence.
