The 18th “Congress of the Association of the Most Beautiful Bays in the World” will take place in Dakhla in Southern Morocco from November 27 to December 1, 2024, the association announced in a press release on Wednesday.
The Regional Council of Dakhla Oued-Eddahab will host the event, with support from local authorities and in partnership with the World Association. The congress plans to facilitate discussion and sharing of ideas on protecting coastal environments and promoting sustainable tourism.
Representatives from the association’s 44 bays worldwide will participate in the congress, with new bays hoping to join the network. It will include workshops on natural conservation, renewable energy, and South-South and North-South partnerships. It will also encompass a youth forum, a video competition, and a beach clean-up, as well as site visits to explore Dakhla’s unique natural beauty.
President of the Dakhla Oued-Eddahab Regional Council, Yanja El Khattat, said the congress will showcase the region’s tourism and economic potential. “This event will help us promote Dakhla as a crossroads for development in Africa and the Atlantic region,” El Khattat noted. “We seek to highlight our efforts in sustainable growth and inclusive development.”
El Khattat described the congress as “a great honor.” Louis Thebault, President of the Association of the Most Beautiful Bays in the World, thanked King Mohammed VI for his support, noting that “the gathering would help strengthen efforts to protect coastal areas globally.”
Dakhla, known for its water sports and stunning landscapes, was accepted into the association in 2019, joining Agadir and Al-Hoceima. This year’s congress was awarded to Dakhla at the 2022 meeting in Cambodia.
Founded in 1997, the Association of the Most Beautiful Bays in the World brings together exceptional natural landscapes to protect their biodiversity and promote sustainable tourism.