Casablanca and Oujda have joined the UNESCO Global Network of Learning Cities (GNLC), in recognition of their outstanding commitment to making the right to education across all ages a reality for all at the local level.
GNLC is an international network of municipalities committed to promoting lifelong learning for all residents to foster sustainable development, social inclusion, and economic prosperity.
Casablanca, Morocco’s largest city, contributes about one-third of the national GDP. Its economy integrates a strong industrial base with emerging sectors, such as digital industries and the circular economy. The city is also recognized as a UNESCO Creative City of Digital Arts.
UNESCO says Casablanca places lifelong learning at the centre of its Communal Action Plan, aligned with SDG 4 and Morocco’s Vision 2030. Priorities include digital inclusion, vocational pathways, cultural participation and green transition.
Its Medium-term goals focus on expanding neighbourhood digital hubs, developing a unified learning platform and strengthening short courses with universities. In the long term, the city plans a Learning City House with e-learning services, heritage pathways and international exchanges.
Casablanca mayor Nabila Rmili says lifelong learning is at the heart of the learning city project. It enables everyone to adapt to rapid changes in the world of work, and to urban and climate challenges.
The city works with educational, economic and community actors to build an accessible and inclusive learning environment. Investing in continuous learning means strengthening skills, inclusion and collective resilience for all Casablancans.
For its part, Oujda is capital of Morocco’s Oriental Region. It combines a strong cultural heritage with economic activity in commerce, services and industry, supported by technology zones.
UNESCO says Oujda positions lifelong learning as a driver of inclusive and sustainable development. Medium-term priorities (2025–2030) include universal access to preschool, reducing school dropout, expanding continuous training and digital skills, and linking education with labour-market needs.
Long-term, the city aims to become a regional centre of excellence in education, culture and innovation, fostering equal opportunities and entrepreneurship while embedding learning across all community sectors.
The mayor of Oujda Mohamed Azzaoui affirms that lifelong learning is essential for building an inclusive and resilient society in Oujda. It enables local citizens to adapt to economic changes, strengthen their skills and thus actively contribute to local development.
