The World Heritage Cities Organization has chosen the Moroccan city of Marrakech to host its 19th World Conference in 2026. This announcement came after a vote by the organization's members gathered at a conference hosted by the city of Cordoba in southern Spain during the period from September 25 to 27. Marrakech, whose old city has been included on the UNESCO World Heritage List since 1985, won the vote ahead of the Portuguese city of Angra do Heroismo. The Red City (Marrakech) will thus succeed Cordoba, which is currently hosting the 18th World Heritage Cities Organization Conference, which brings together about 75 cities and 34 mayors from all over the world. It is worth mentioning that the World Heritage Cities Organization was founded on the occasion of the first meeting of World Heritage Cities held in Quebec (Canada) in 1991, and was officially formed on September 8, 1993 in Fez to serve as a network for exchanging experiences and good practices in the management of urban sites listed on the World Heritage List. It represents more than 200 cities that include at least one site listed on the UNESCO World Heritage List. The organization constitutes a unique platform for exchanging experiences, bringing together political officials and professionals dedicated to the protection of historic cities, especially those listed on the World Heritage List. Source: National Iraqi News Agency