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King Mohammed VI has affirmed that social justice and combating inter-regional disparities are not empty slogans, nor a temporary priority but a strategic policy.
In a speech made Friday on the opening of the Fall session of the parliament, the King, who was accompanied by Crown Prince Moulay El Hassan and Prince Moulay Rachid, said this strategic engagement is a vital, core element which must govern and determine all development policies.
He also called on stakeholders to adhere to this strategic policy saying that the efforts made by emerging Morocco to achieve social and inter-regional equity today require mobilization of all of the nation’s energies.
“There should be no inconsistency or competition between national flagship projects, on the one hand, and social programs, on the other, since the goal is to achieve the country’s development and improve the living conditions of citizens, wherever they may be”, said the King.
Special attention should be given to accompanying citizens, and shedding light on initiatives taken by public authorities as well as the various laws adopted and the decisions made, especially those relating directly to the rights and freedoms of citizens, added the Monarch.
He affirmed that this matter is not the responsibility of the government alone. Although it is everyone’s responsibility. It is, first and foremost, the duty as parliamentarians, as they represent the citizens. It is also the responsibility of political parties, elected officials serving on boards and councils at all territorial levels, the media, civil society organizations, and the life force of the nation.
In the last Throne Day Address, “I called for accelerating the march of emerging Morocco, and launching next-generation programs for local development”, said the King, noting that local development necessitates a tangible change in mentalities and work methods. It also requires actual consolidation of a result-oriented culture that is based on accurate field data as well as on the use of digital technology.
the King said he expects a faster implementation pace and stronger impacts from the next-generation local development programs he asked the government to prepare, making sure urban and rural areas equally benefit from them.
The Moroccan Sovereign puts emphasis in this regard on the promotion of local initiatives and economic activities, the creation of job opportunities for young people, and the achievement of tangible progress in the education and health sectors, as well as local rehabilitation policies.
He called on everyone – each from their position – to combat all practices that squander time, effort, and resources, stressing that one cannot be complacent when it comes to the effectiveness and return on public investment.
King Mohammed VI urged on all – government and parliament, majority and opposition – to muster all energies and capabilities, and to make the best interests of the nation and of the citizens prevail over any other consideration.
To achieve the local development goals, the Monarch called on government and MPs to give special attention to the most fragile areas, especially in mountainous regions and oases.
“Harmonious local development cannot be achieved without effective integration and solidarity between regions and areas. It is necessary, today, to reconsider the development policy for mountainous regions, which account for 30% of the national territory”, said the King, stressing the need to come up with an integrated public policy for these regions, while taking into account their specificities as well as their numerous resources.
The King also called for the optimal use of sustainable development mechanisms along the coastline, including the Coastal Law and the National Coastal Plan. The goal is to strike the required balance between the rapid development of these areas, the need to protect them, and the valuation of their enormous potential, within the framework of a national maritime economy that creates wealth as well as job opportunities.
The Monarch also called for expanding the scope of the emerging rural centers program as a suitable mechanism for the management of urban expansion and the mitigation of its adverse effects.
These emerging centers will also serve as an effective link for bringing administrative, social, and economic services closer to citizens in rural areas.
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