The National Library and Archives signed a memorandum of understanding with the Royal Documents Directorate in the Kingdom of Morocco
with the aim of enhancing cooperation and exchanging experience

 The National Library and Archives signed a memorandum of understanding with the Royal Documents Directorate of the Kingdom of Morocco aiming at strengthening mutual friendly ties and enhancing cooperation and experience exchange in the field of archives, as well as exploring various ways of preserving common cultural and historical heritage, developing cultural and scientific cooperation, coordinating joint work so both parties may achieve the highest quality standards and levels, and adopt the best practices in the archival and cultural fields.
The MOU was signed at the Royal Documents Directorate headquarters in Rabat in the presence of H.E. Al Asri Saeed Al Dhaheri, the UAE Ambassador to the Kingdom of Morocco, by the Director General of the National Library and Archives, H.E. Abdulla Majed Al Ali, and H.E. Bahija Al-Simou, Director of Royal Documents Directorate in the Kingdom of Morocco.
On this occasion, His Excellency Abdulla Majed Al Ali, Director General of the National Library and Archives, said: "It is a great opportunity to enhance the cooperation ties between the National Library and Archives, and the Royal Documents Directorate, since both institutions share a genuine interest in collecting and preserving their nation’s memory, stemming from their heightened awareness of the importance of historical documents in civilizational progress, Nations and individuals’ rights’ preservation. The two institutions play a significant cultural role and serve as regional, Arab and international civilizational and cultural beacons."
He added: "This collaboration between the National Library and Archives and the Royal Documents Directorate reflect the close and distinguished historical relations between the United Arab Emirates and the Kingdom of Morocco’s leaderships and people, that date back to the establishment of the UAE, supported by the vision of both the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan and King Al-Hassan II. We hope that this memorandum shall serve as a foundation for fruitful and constructive bilateral cooperation in exchanging archival material, carrying out historical documents’ restoration, preservation, enhancing access and developing search mechanisms of common interest, for the best interest of researchers, specialists and all concerned and interested parties.
His Excellency stressed the important potential role which the Royal Documents Directorate can play in enriching joint UAE and Kingdom of Morocco’s cultural and artistic initiatives and activities.
His Excellency invited the Royal Documents Directorate to participate in the upcoming "International Council on Archives Congress", which will be hosted by Abu Dhabi from 9-13 October, 2023.
The Director General of the National Library and Archives thanked the UAE Embassy in the Kingdom of Morocco and all members of the diplomatic corps for their efforts and coordination preceding and leading to the signing of this memorandum.
In turn, Her Excellency Bahija Al-Simou, Director of the Royal Documents Directorate, said: "We are very pleased to cooperate with the National Library and Archives, and are highly optimistic about the signed memorandum which reflects both institutions’ keen interest in historical documents collection and preservation, and firm belief that documents constitute a key pillar and foundation for the memory of any nation, through their invaluable historical information on the history and heritage of these nations.
Her Excellency stressed that the history reflected through documents is really crucial, as it is closely related to the currently faced challenges, noting that both institutions share a keen interest in collecting and preserving the memory of the nation for future generations, and in allowing researchers access to it through digital portals that benefit all parties interested in the nations’ history and heritage. H.E. hailed the joint participation in special events that contribute to enriching the cultural field through distinguished and close UAE - Moroccan relations.
The MOU terms and provisions reflected the parties’ mutual agreement to exchange expertise, share information, conduct training programs, support experience exchange, and enhance cooperation in joint cultural activities such as workshops, training, archival and historical bulletins exchange, in addition to implementing joint projects of mutual interest relating to the field of Archives.
It should be noted that the memorandum was signed during the visit of National Library and Archives delegation, headed by His Excellency Abdulla Majed Al Ali, to the Royal Documents Directorate in Rabat, where the delegation members inspected the Royal Documents Directorate’s various sections, and were briefed on the historical documents adopted collection, preservation, digitization and access methods, and on the Royal Documents Directorate’s publications, the most important of which is the book entitled "Andalusia: History and Civilization", and its holdings of the oldest documents and manuscripts. At the end of the visit, the two parties exchanged publications and commemorative shields.