Qatar's Years of Culture Initiative took part in the 4th Annual Sustainable Goals Banquet during the 79th United Nations General Assembly. In attendance were heads of state and global influencers to encourage dialogue on sustainability, cultural heritage, and a shared commitment to the UNs SDGs. The event highlighted the Qatar-Morocco 2024 Year of Culture, and celebrated the rich cultural heritage of both countries and their contributions to global education and social development efforts. It also provided a platform to develop international cooperation, engage thought leaders in sustainability, cultural exchange, and the pivotal role of education in achieving the SDGs. On the sidelines of the annual banquet was organized an exhibition featuring handicrafts by young people from Morocco, who benefited from the Silatech Foundation project in partnership with the Amana Foundation for Microfinance in Morocco. This initiative enabled more than 134,000 young men and women to transform their passion into a susta inable source of livelihood by providing them with the necessary resources. There was also a Moroccan caftan exhibition, organized by founder of the Institute of Arab and Islamic Art in New York, Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al-Thani, along with high-end displays of Amazigh jewelry and clothing by fashion designer Siham Al Habti, reflecting the pulse of Moroccan artistic heritage, and an exhibition of ancient Moroccan caftan. Ahmed Saif Al Hajri, from Education Above All Foundation, gave a presentation on youth-led sustainability projects, emphasizing the importance of education as the driving force behind the UN Sustainable Development Goals. In the same context, Dr. Najat Maalla Mjid of Morocco, who was appointed in May 2019 as UN Special Representative of the Secretary-General on Violence against Children, won the children's rights advocacy award. Dr. Mjid has been a key advocate for children's rights over 40 years. The Years of Culture initiative continues to establish purposeful cultural partnerships t hat strengthen ties between peoples through cultural and knowledge exchange between countries, by organizing various events that include arts, literature, and music, which contribute to building bridges of dialogue, strengthening diplomatic and humanitarian relations, and opening new horizons for creative cooperation, which enhances the values of tolerance and openness on a global level. Source: Qatar News Agency