His Majesty King Mohammed VI, accompanied by HRH Crown Prince Moulay El Hassan, HRH Prince Moulay Rachid and HH Prince Moulay Ahmed delivered on Friday a speech to the Parliament at the opening of the first session of the first legislative year of the 12th Legislature.
Read full text of the Royal Speech:
“Praise be to God.
May peace and blessings be upon the Prophet, His Kith and Kin.
Ladies and Gentlemen, Distinguished Members of Parliament,
I take the opportunity of the opening of the new legislative term to congratulate the members of the House of Representatives on the confidence placed in them by the electorate.
This legislative term is taking place at a very special time, offering unique opportunities to build upon the achievements made in various sectors.
I expect this new legislative and governmental term to be a real turning point in advancing Morocco’s ambition as a rising, dependable economic power, making sure we strike a balance between economic growth and greater social and territorial equity.
Ladies and Gentlemen,
In 2014 I said the following from this podium: “As a Moroccan, nothing else is more valuable to me than the sense of belonging to this nation.”
That sentiment remains with me today. It is becoming stronger and more deeply rooted with the passing years.
Morocco is one of the world’s oldest nations. Our country is united under the banner of a venerable monarchy—one of the most ancient in history.
Moroccans have every right to take pride in our authentic religious identity, under the aegis of the Commandership of the Faithful. They can indeed be proud of our distinctive cultural identity, which is enriched by its diverse components.
I take pride in the political and diplomatic accomplishments we have made, as well as in our developmental, economic, and social achievements, which have transformed Morocco.
Pride in one’s homeland, in this case, is not about boasting or self-satisfaction;
rather, it is the driving force that turns the sense of belonging into responsibility, and confidence into a national duty.
Ladies and Gentlemen,
In a world characterized by rapidly accelerating geo-economic shifts, our country – guided by a clear vision – has embarked on a new wave of reforms and major projects.
Today, in addition to accelerating the implementation of planned infrastructure
projects, we must launch a new generation of major strategies, particularly in the fields of water, energy, and food security, industrial takeoff, the digital economy, and artificial intelligence.
I reiterate my call to accelerate the development of the Kingdom’s capabilities in the field of strategic reserves and to secure the supply of basic commodities.
That said, I urge our private sector to step up and become a strategic player in our country’s development transformation. I want it to show greater initiative and a keener innovative spirit, and to increase its capacity to create jobs, invest, and export.
It is particularly important to make sure youth issues are at the forefront of public policies and of the agenda of governance bodies. To this end, a comprehensive vision guaranteeing equal opportunities and encompassing education, skills development, and economic integration should be formulated.
This approach aims to bolster young people’s confidence in the prospects for social advancement, in their nation’s institutions, as well as in the opportunities provided to build a better future – one that guarantees freedom, dignity, and stability.
Ladies and Gentlemen,
The real challenge for the coming period lies in fieldwork, at the local level, to identify the actual problems facing each region and come up with realistic solutions to them.
Advancing integrated development, improving public services, and bolstering productive investment are inextricably linked to the process of advanced regionalization and administrative de-concentration.
However, the delays and deficiencies that continue to hinder the implementation of decentralization and administrative de-concentration are adversely affecting economic and social development programs and are impeding the response to citizens’ real concerns.
I therefore wish to stress that any further delay or procrastination in the full implementation of the de-concentration charter is unacceptable. The reference here is to the required transfer of competencies, and of the necessary human and
financial resources, from the central government to the provinces and regions.
It is also necessary to put an end to the obstacles that continue to hinder the work
of regional institutions, particularly through a clearer definition of their competencies and the provision of greater human and material resources.
Today, we need to regulate the relationship between the State and the Regions, and to establish mechanisms for coordination and contracting in order to enable the Regions to make decisions and implement projects.
Ladies and Gentlemen,
The Kingdom has succeeded in consolidating its international standing as a responsible and reliable partner committed to fulfilling its obligations. It expects the same from its partners.
The balanced approach adopted by our country to manage the migration phenomenon has produced tangible results.
However, we must acknowledge, with all due courage and objectivity, that the current cooperation model in this area has become outdated. The recurring crises are a clear testimony to this.
This applies to our neighbor, Spain. Our partnership with that country has witnessed significant developments in various sectors, including the fight against illegal migration.
However, this cooperation is currently facing significant challenges stemming from some obsolete legal provisions and unrealistic judicial rulings. They are regrettably impeding the repatriation of minors and of fake asylum seekers, while fueling the greed of criminal networks.
Considering the irresponsible statements and the blatant exploitation of the issue by some political and media circles, I wish to point out that this partnership is a sovereign choice and a voluntary commitment. It will never be subject to any pressure, threat, or blackmail.
In this regard, Morocco will present a document to its partners setting out a clear and practical strategic vision that paves the way for a new direction which promotes shared development, economic competitiveness, and regional stability.
Ladies and Gentlemen, Distinguished Members of Parliament,
As you know, the parliamentary mandate is a political commitment and a moral contract binding you to the citizens.
May God guide your steps so that you may live up to this national responsibility that you bear before God, the citizens and history, in keeping with words of the Almighty: ”He that does good shall have ten times as much to his credit”. True is the Word of God.
Wassalamou alaikoum warahmatoullahi wabarakatouh.”
Key takeaways from King Mohammed VI´s speech to Parliament:
The King began his speech by congratulating the new members of Parliament elected on september 23, recalling that ´´this term comes at an exceptional time, rich in opportunities that may not be repeated and that must be seized in order to continue the momentum of achievements in the various fields’´.
Sovereignties, now and forever:
The King called for the launch of a new generation of major strategies encompassing water, energy, and food security, as well as industrial development, the digital economy, and artificial intelligence.
In this vein, the sovereign called for greater involvement of the private sector and for strengthening its role as a strategic player in the transformation taking place in Morocco.
Special attention will be given to NEETs:
In his speech, the King insisted that youth issues should be at the forefront of public policy through ´´an integrated vision guaranteeing equal opportunities and covering education, skills development and economic integration.
Advanced regionalization and administrative decentralization:
For the sovereign of Morocco, the real challenge of the next step is the territorial action that must be carried out on the ground to identify the real problems of each region and to find realistic solutions to them.
In this regard, the Kind called for the removal of obstacles hindering the region’s institutions, including poorly defined responsabilities and insufficient human and material resources. The King also believes it is time to reassess the relationship between the state and the regions.
Immigration: a mode of cooperation that needs to be rethought:
His Majesty the King Mohammed VI affirmed that in terms of international cooperation against illegal immigration, Morocco is ´a responsible, reliable partner and keen to honor its commitments’´, but w hich must ‘´receive the same treatment from its partners’’.
