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The King of Morocco addressed a message to the participants at the 8th World Congress of United Cities and Local Governments (UCLG), taking place from 22 to 25 June in Tangier, urging them to strengthen more equitable, inclusive and sustainable territorial governance
Under the theme “A new generation of universal local public services”, Tangier has hosted the 8th World Congress of United Cities and Local Governments (UCLG)
On this occasion, King Mohammed VI addressed a message to local and regional leaders, government officials, elected representatives, experts and representatives of international organisations and networks taking part in the event, calling for the consolidation of more equitable and solidarity-based territorial governance and sustainable development
The royal message emphasised that “Tangier, as a city situated at the crossroads of continents and seas, embodies the image of a Morocco that is open to its neighbours, confident in its choices, committed to its identity and resolutely forward-looking”
Governance in the service of territorial justice
The King expressed Morocco’s pride in hosting the sessions of this world assembly, the purpose of which is to discuss the future dynamics of development and governance worldwide, through the promotion of democratic practice; the renewal of local governance; the consolidation of territorial justice; strengthening the central role of cities, regions and local authorities in building a more equitable future that respects the imperatives of sustainability.
Mohammed VI praised the choice of this year’s theme, which “reflects a growing awareness that territorial governance is no longer merely a matter of administrative order or organisational logic, but has become an essential lever for consolidating territorial justice, reducing social inequalities and restoring trust between citizens and institutions”
The theme aligns with Morocco’s vision of placing territorial policies at the service of people, guaranteeing citizens’ right to access basic services. In this context, he highlighted the importance of the debate that has begun on the future of universal local public services, the new local social pact, the financing of territorial development and digital transformation, climate justice and territorial diplomacy.
Towards an innovative territorial organisation
King Mohammed VI announced, from Tangier, the launch of a new generation of integrated territorial development programmes that reflect an unwavering commitment to renewing methods of public action, with the aim of creating a dignified living environment and improving social conditions in the North African country
“This work begins with a rigorous identification of the population’s needs, listening to local stakeholders, and defining priorities based on their direct impact on citizens’ lives, particularly in the sectors of employment, education, health, water and territorial development,” explained the Alawite monarch
“We hope that this conference will lead to the creation of an innovative regional organisation that is not limited to managing day-to-day needs, but which is equipped with the necessary resources to anticipate potential changes, guide investment, support the digital and ecological transition, improve the quality of public services, and promote the integration of young people, women and vulnerable groups into the development process,” added Mohammed VI.
Driven by the firm conviction that a state owes its modernity not only to the strength of its central institutions, but also to its ability to empower its regional authorities with the capacity for initiative and participation, the Moroccan monarch has, since his accession to the throne, launched territorial reform as a key strategic pillar of the country’s social and development project, making public decision-making more accessible to citizens.
Mohammed VI recalled Morocco’s experience in the field of decentralisation and advanced regionalisation as part of a broader vision of integrated territorial development, which represents a strategic choice through which the State seeks to modernise its structures, consolidate local democracy and unleash potential and energy
The aim is to enshrine the principle of equity between regions and to tailor the development of each territory to its specific characteristics, strengths and the needs of its population. In this way, the region is established as a conducive environment for strategic planning, mobilising investment, stimulating the local economy and seeking greater cross-cutting coordination between sectoral and territorial programmes.
In this regard, the role of prefectures, provinces and local authorities has also been strengthened within the framework of institutional complementarity based on autonomous management, solidarity, cooperation and accountability, in accordance with the Royal Address
Facing the challenges: new initiatives
Stating that the success of territorial governance continues to depend on the ability of elected institutions to fully perform their functions, as well as on the level of competence of elected representatives, the strengthening of consultation mechanisms and the development of partnerships between the different levels of public administration, King Mohammed VI emphasised that “this assembly is taking place against a delicate international backdrop, marked by several challenges such as:
- The acute effects of climate change
- Demographic pressures and migration flows.
- The widening of social and territorial disparities.
- The growing demand for public services that are more accessible, of higher quality, efficient and equitable.
“These challenges confirm that the future is not built solely through centralised decisions but also through the involvement of local communities; by implementing public policies in their economic, social and environmental dimensions, in areas such as education, health, housing, water, the environment, transport, culture, leisure and job creation,” explained the King, calling for:
- To deepen the discussion on the pathways leading to the implementation of a new generation of territorial governance models.
- To base this on proximity, equity, sustainability and efficiency.
- To provide local and regional governments with the necessary resources to fulfil their missions.
- To strengthen the role of cities, regions and other local authorities in addressing common challenges.
In this vein, the Alawite monarch praised the ‘100 Days of Local Multilateralism’ initiative, which reflects the growing conviction that local and regional governments are now establishing themselves as full partners and a proactive force within the global governance system, urging the forging of a renewed relationship between governments, local authorities and the public, based on the principles of proximity, listening, consultation, transparency, participation and protection.
Africa and the Sahara: at the forefront of development
Thanks to an integrated vision based on solidarity, regional integration and co-development, Africa and the Sahara are positioning themselves at the forefront of development through the implementation of major projects aimed at turning them into a hub of growth and stability, as well as a lever for strengthening African and Atlantic cooperation
In this context, Morocco has launched initiatives for the African continent guided by a renewed royal vision of South-South cooperation. These include the Initiative for Access to the Atlantic Ocean for the Sahel States, the African-Atlantic gas pipeline project and the process involving the African Atlantic States
“ “These initiatives transform Africa’s Atlantic coast into a strategic space for cooperation and shared prosperity and reinforce Morocco’s role as a credible actor and committed partner working towards stable and integrated African development,” said the King, emphasising that “Morocco continues to make decentralised international cooperation an operational lever for sharing experiences and technical expertise between local authorities and their African counterparts.”
In this context, Mohammed VI referred to the mission entrusted to the African Fund for the Support of International Decentralised Cooperation (FACDI) for local authorities, which, just a few years after its creation in 2020, has become an innovative mechanism for supporting local partnerships with a real impact and for anchoring inter-African cooperation centred on local development, good governance, capacity-building and the exchange of knowledge.
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