HM the King: Morocco, a champion of resolute, proactive and solidarity-based action for a “new Africa”
PERSIAMA, Dakhla, Mar.13, 2015 – Morocco which has consistently rejected “Afro-pessimism” advocates and defends resolute, proactive and solidarity-based action to forge a “new Africa”, said HM King Mohammed VI.
“This is a most cherished wish, and we shall continue to try and pool efforts to fulfill it”, the sovereign stated in a message to the opening session of the Crans Montana Forum, held in the Moroccan southern city of Dakhla from March 12-14 in the presence of outstanding figures from 36 African, 30 Asian, 31 European and 15 America countries, as well as more than 20 regional and international organizations.
HM the King argued that Morocco is drawing on its “African calling as a hub for regional advancement, stability and cultural development” and follows a policy “based on a comprehensive, integrated and inclusive approach designed to promote peace and stability, encourage sustainable human development and safeguard the cultural and spiritual identity of our populations, while respecting the universal values of human rights.”
This policy, he went on in the message that was read out by government chief, Abdelilah Benkirane, is no longer the exclusivity of the state and institutional actors but is also “increasingly devised and conducted by private economic operators, with the involvement of civil society organizations.” The objective, insisted the royal message, is “to support sister African nations in their efforts to build strong economies, through the transfer of know-how, human resource training, investment in key sectors of the economy and the pooling of resources.”
Underlining the importance of sub-regional groupings, the Sovereign recalled Morocco’s repeated calls for “fresh momentum to be injected into the Arab Maghreb Union, which celebrated its 26th anniversary this year”, noting that the Kingdom has also been a particularly active member of the CEN-SAD, which will hold its next summit in Morocco and is developing closer relations with several other regional groupings in West and Central Africa.
HM the King further also seized the opportunity to welcome the Crans Montana Forum’s initiatives to promote cooperation among African countries bordering the Atlantic, stressing that the establishment on the sidelines of this meeting, of the “Atlantic Africa Club” as an initiative designed to “support development and regional integration in Africa and foster a more proactive policy regarding the Atlantic coast.”
The Sovereign further lauded the “African Women’s Forum”, which will serve as a platform for exchange and debate among women participants, as “a fitting opportunity for African women to plead in favor of their full rights and to encourage their active contribution to the development of their respective countries.”
The royal message also paid tribute to the Crans Montana Forum and its President, Jean-Paul Carteron, for devoting the theme of the Forum’s annual conference to Africa and Africans, as well as ISESCO and its Director General, for having actively contributed to the organization and success of this conference.
