Rabat: Director of the Special Projects and Innovation Branch at the United Nations Office of Counter-Terrorism (UNOCT) Guadalupe Megre praised Wednesday in Rabat the Kingdom’s “impressive” expertise in securing major sporting events.

According to Agence Marocaine De Presse, Megre highlighted the organizational capabilities of Morocco during the opening of an international scientific symposium on “Security at Major Sporting Events: Security and Legal Challenges in the Era of Digital Transformation.” The ongoing organization of the Africa Cup of Nations was cited as evidence of Morocco’s capacity to manage significant sporting events effectively.

The expertise displayed by Morocco provides a solid foundation for the UNOCT’s Global Program and instills confidence as Morocco prepares to host the 2030 World Cup in collaboration with Spain and Portugal. Megre emphasized Morocco as a model of synergy between sport and diplomacy, contributing to peace, development, and security objectives.

The UNOCT expressed its intent to expand its partnership with Morocco, which hosts one of the Office’s most active branches globally. Megre also highlighted the importance of international cooperation in organizing major sporting events to leverage sport as a tool for resilience against violent extremism.

To improve the management of large crowds at sporting events, Megre advocated for a coordinated approach involving multiple institutions, including public authorities, law enforcement, intelligence services, health institutions, and private stakeholders.

The three-day symposium is organized by the Moroccan Ministry of Justice in collaboration with the Naif Arab University for Security Sciences in Saudi Arabia, Morocco’s Directorate General of National Security (DGSN), the Royal Gendarmerie Command, and the Royal Moroccan Football Federation (FRMF), with support from the UNOCT, the International Organization for Migration (IOM), and the Arab Police Sports Union.

In anticipation of Morocco’s hosting of the 2025 African Cup of Nations and preparations for co-hosting the 2030 World Cup with Spain and Portugal, the event is attended by ministers, senior officials, and experts from prestigious institutions, including FIFA, continental confederations, UNOCT, IOM, Interpol, Europol, the Council of Europe, the African Union Commission, and the British Sports Grounds Safety Authority.