His Majesty King Mohammed VI, may God assist him, accompanied by His Royal Highness Crown Prince Moulay Hassan and His Royal Highness Prince Moulay Rachid, delivered a royal address to members of Parliament today, Friday, on the occasion of the opening of the first session of the fifth legislative year of the 11th legislative term.
The following is the text of the Royal Address:
“Praise be to God, and may peace and blessings be upon our Master, the Messenger of God, his family, and his companions.”
Honorable Members of Parliament,
Today, with God’s help and guidance, we are opening the final legislative session of the House of Representatives for the current term.
This is an opportunity to express our appreciation for the work you do, whether in the area of legislation, oversight of government activities, or the evaluation of public policies.
We would also like to commend the efforts made to advance party-based and parliamentary diplomacy in the service of the country’s overarching interests; we call for greater diligence and effectiveness, within a framework of cooperation and complementarity with official diplomacy.
Since this is the final year of your term, we urge you to dedicate it to working with a sense of seriousness and responsibility to finalize legislative initiatives, implement ongoing programs and projects, and remain vigilant and committed to defending the interests of the people.
Furthermore, there should be no conflict or competition between major national projects and social programs, as long as the goal is to develop the country and improve the living conditions of its citizens, wherever they may be.
In this context, special attention should be given to educating citizens and raising awareness about the initiatives undertaken by public authorities, as well as various laws and decisions, particularly those that directly affect citizens’ rights and freedoms.
This issue is not the responsibility of the government alone, but rather the responsibility of everyone, and foremost among them are you, the members of Parliament, because you represent the citizens.
It is also the responsibility of political parties and elected officials in various elected bodies at all local levels, as well as the media, civil society actors, and all the nation’s active forces.
Ladies and gentlemen of the House,
In the recent Throne Speech, we called for accelerating the progress of a rising Morocco and launching a new generation of regional development programs.
As you know, this is one of the major issues that transcends the terms of government and parliament.
And our country, thank God, is paving the way—through the initiatives we have launched—for greater social and spatial justice.
We are also working to ensure that everyone benefits from the fruits of growth and enjoys equal opportunities among the people of a united Morocco in various areas, including political, economic, and social rights, among others.
Therefore, we believe that the level of local development is a true reflection of the progress made by a rising and united Morocco, a nation whose standing we are all working to strengthen.
Social justice and the fight against regional disparities are not merely empty slogans or temporary priorities whose importance may wane depending on circumstances;
Rather, we view it as a strategic direction to which all stakeholders must adhere, and a critical challenge that should guide various development policies.
Therefore, Morocco’s rising momentum toward achieving social and spatial justice requires the mobilization of all its resources today.
The major transformation we are striving to achieve in regional development requires a tangible shift in mindsets and working methods, as well as a genuine commitment to a results-oriented culture—based on accurate field data and the use of digital technologies.
We therefore expect a faster pace and a greater impact from the new generation of regional development programs that we have directed the government to prepare, within the framework of a win-win relationship between urban and rural areas.
This applies, in particular, to the key priority issues we have identified, foremost among which are promoting local initiatives and economic activities, creating job opportunities for young people, and advancing the education and health sectors, as well as regional development.
In this regard, we call on everyone, each in their own capacity, to combat all practices that waste time, effort, and resources; for it is unacceptable to compromise the effectiveness and efficiency of public investment.
In addition to the guidelines we set forth in the Throne Speech regarding regional development, we call for a focus on the following issues as well:
– First: Pay special attention to the most vulnerable areas, taking into account their specific characteristics and needs, particularly mountainous and oasis regions.
Harmonious regional development cannot be achieved without genuine integration and solidarity among regions and localities.
It has become necessary to reexamine the development of mountainous regions, which cover 30% of the national territory, and to provide them with an integrated public policy that takes into account their specific characteristics and numerous assets.
– Second: The full and effective implementation of mechanisms for the sustainable development of the national coastline, including the Coastal Zone Management Act and the National Coastal Zone Plan.
This will help strike the necessary balance between the rapid development of these areas and the need to protect them and harness their significant potential, within a national maritime economy that generates wealth and creates jobs.
– Third: Expanding the scope of the Emerging Village Centers Program, as an appropriate mechanism for managing urban expansion and mitigating its negative impacts.
These emerging centers will also serve as an effective link in bringing administrative, social, and economic services closer to citizens in rural areas.
Ladies and gentlemen of the House,
The year ahead is full of projects and challenges.
We expect all of you—the government and the parliament, the majority and the opposition—to mobilize all your resources and capabilities and to prioritize the best interests of the nation and its citizens.
May God guide you to live up to the trust placed in you, the responsibility entrusted to you, and the integrity, dedication, and selflessness required in the service of your country.
God Almighty said: “Whoever does an atom’s weight of good will see it, and whoever does an atom’s weight of evil will see it.” God Almighty has spoken the truth.
“Peace be upon you, and may the mercy and blessings of God be upon you.”
