Rabat, The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) has officially designated Rabat, Morocco, as the World Book Capital for 2026, based on a recommendation from the World Book Capital Advisory Committee. In its announcement, UNESCO highlighted Rabat's commitment to promoting the book industry and encouraging reading, noting its 54 publishing houses and its status as the host of Africa's third-largest international book fair, the Saudi Press Agency (SPA) reported. Rabat aims to implement a range of initiatives to improve access to books, strengthen the local publishing sector, and enhance literacy across all age groups and demographics, both within Morocco and internationally. The celebrations are set to begin on April 23, 2026, coinciding with World Book and Copyright Day. Source: Bahrain News Agency