RABAT, Morocco

Moroccan King Mohammed VI on Tuesday expressed his appreciation to Türkiye and Spain for ensuring the continuity of the Alliance of Civilizations.

The 9th global forum of the UN Alliance of Civilizations kicked off in the northeastern city of Fez on Tuesday.

"We stand in honor and appreciation for all those who contributed, especially Türkiye and Spain, to ensuring the continuity of the Alliance of Civilizations organization and its institutionalization as a reference for understanding, trust and dialogue between cultures, religions and civilizations,” King Mohammed said in an address to the two-day meeting.

“The bright and courageous minds that crystallized the Alliance were able to create a forum for the future,” he added.

The event is attended by Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu, UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, and High Representative for the Alliance of Civilizations Miguel Angel Moratinos.

According to organizers, the forum, which is held for the first time in an African country, discusses coexistence and the promotion of diversity and wealth.

More than 1,000 activists and 96 delegations from around the world have registered to attend the event.

*Ikram Imane Kouachi contributed to this report