Organizers from the Arab League Educational, Cultural and Scientific Organization hosted the event in Benin to highlight shared heritage between Arab and African literary traditions. The gathering featured readings, panel discussions and workshops focused on contemporary issues expressed through verse. Benin officials welcomed participants by underscoring the country’s commitment to cultural partnerships with Arab institutions, a stance the host government has maintained through multiple bilateral agreements since 2010. According to Emirates News Agency reporting, more than 50 poets and scholars registered for the sessions that run through the end of the week.
Previous editions of the forum, which the Arab League Educational, Cultural and Scientific Organization has staged since 2018, took place in Tunis, Cairo and Rabat, each drawing increased participation from non-Arab African countries. The current meeting in Benin marks the first time the event is held in West Africa, expanding its geographic reach in line with the organization’s stated goal of deepening South-South cultural ties. ALECSO annual reports place the number of participating nations in earlier forums at an average of 15, a figure the Benin edition has already surpassed based on preliminary attendance lists released by the organizers.
Key themes include the influence of oral poetry traditions common to both regions and the use of verse to address migration, identity and environmental challenges. A senior ALECSO representative told the Emirates News Agency that poetry serves as an effective bridge for mutual understanding between Arab and African societies. The representative added that the forum would produce a joint declaration on cultural cooperation to be presented to the Arab League summit later this year.
Benin’s Minister of Culture delivered opening remarks that stressed the historical links forged through centuries of trade across the Sahara. The minister noted that Benin has hosted several pan-African literary festivals in the past decade, creating a foundation for the current Arab-focused gathering. Local universities in Cotonou provided venues and logistical support, reflecting a whole-of-government approach to the event that the Emirates News Agency described in its coverage.
Supporting data from UNESCO cultural statistics indicate that cross-regional poetry initiatives have grown by nearly 30 percent across Africa since 2020, driven by increased funding from multilateral bodies including the Arab League. The Fifth Arab Poetry Forum aligns with this trend, incorporating digital streaming of sessions to reach audiences beyond Benin. Organizers plan to publish selected works from the forum in a bilingual Arabic-French edition by the end of 2026, according to the Emirates News Agency.
The event also includes a youth poetry competition open to students from participating countries, an addition introduced in the third forum and retained for its success in engaging new generations. Judges will award prizes in three categories, with winners invited to a follow-up symposium in an Arab capital in 2027. Emirates News Agency coverage highlighted the inclusive format as evidence of the forum’s evolving mandate to combine artistic expression with educational outreach.
