Tribune News Network
Doha
Years of Culture participated in Fashion 4 Development’s (F4D) 4th Annual Sustainable Goals Banquet, held during the 79th Session of the United Nations General Assembly in New York City. The event brought together global leaders and influencers to promote dialogue on sustainability, cultural heritage, and the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
This year’s banquet highlighted the Qatar-Morocco 2024 Year of Culture, celebrating the cultural legacies of both nations and their roles in education and social development. A key feature was the ‘Weaving Hopes’ exhibition, which showcased artisanal creations by Moroccan youth supported by a Silatech Foundation initiative in partnership with Al Amana Microfinance Institution, empowering over 134,000 young people.
EAA Foundation Youth Advocate, Ahmed Saif Al Hajari, presented youth-led sustainability projects, emphasising education as a key driver of the SDGs. The event also included:
• A Moroccan caftan exhibition by Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al-Thani, founder of the Institute of Arab and Islamic Art in New York.
• Displays of Amazigh jewelry and caftans by Siham El Habti, reflecting Morocco’s vibrant artistic heritage
• A showcase of vintage kaftans in collaboration with Yves Saint Laurent and Jean Paul Gaultier.
• A sustainable plant-based Moroccan cuisine experience by Chef David Fhima.
Dr Najat Maalla M’jid, the UN Special Representative on Violence against Children, received the Children’s Advocacy Award for her decades-long work on children’s rights.
The banquet was part of a two-day programme, which also featured the 12th Annual First Ladies Luncheon by F4D, merging fashion, diplomacy, and sustainable development. The Qatar-Morocco 2024 Year of Culture will continue to celebrate the shared heritage and future ambitions of both nations through a series of cultural events.