- In a landmark speech to Parliament, the Sovereign outlines a strategic vision for local development, social justice, and effective governance, calling for collective responsibility and tangible results.
RABAT – His Majesty King Mohammed VI, accompanied by HRH Crown Prince Moulay El Hassan and HRH Prince Moulay Rachid, officially inaugurated the first session of the fifth legislative year of the 11th Legislature this Friday with a Royal Address to the nation’s representatives.
In his speech, the Monarch set a tone of urgency and purpose for the final year of the current parliamentary term, emphasizing the critical need for diligence, responsibility, and a citizen-centric approach from all national institutions.
A Call for Diligence and Citizen-Centric Governance
The King began by acknowledging the work of Parliament in legislation, oversight, and policy evaluation. He specifically commended efforts in parliamentary diplomacy but urged for “greater diligence and effectiveness” in coordinating with official state diplomacy.
Addressing the lawmakers directly, King Mohammed VI stated, “I invite you to devote [this year] to working in a serious, responsible manner to complete legislative plans, implement ongoing programs and projects, and be vigilant and determined in serving the issues that matter to the citizens.”
He underscored that serving citizens is not solely the government’s duty but a collective responsibility, first and foremost of parliamentarians, and extending to political parties, elected officials, the media, and civil society. The King emphasized the importance of transparency, calling for clear communication about laws and decisions that directly impact citizens’ rights and freedoms.
Local Development: The True Mirror of an Emerging Morocco
A significant portion of the speech was dedicated to the strategic priority of local development, which the King described as “the mirror that truly reflects the progress of the emerging, united Morocco.”
He framed the pursuit of social justice and the reduction of inter-regional disparities not as temporary slogans, but as a core strategic objective. “It is a vital, core element which must govern and determine all development policies,” the Monarch asserted.
To achieve this, King Mohammed VI called for a “tangible change in mentalities and work methods,” championing a results-oriented culture driven by accurate field data and digital technology. He expressed his expectation for a faster implementation pace and stronger impacts from the next-generation local development programs, ensuring both urban and rural areas benefit equally.
Three Key Priorities for Harmonious Development
The Sovereign outlined three specific areas of focus to guide these efforts:
- Special Attention to Fragile Areas: The King called for a renewed and integrated public policy for mountainous regions, which account for 30% of the national territory. He stressed that harmonious development requires “effective integration and solidarity between regions and areas.”
- Optimal Use of Coastal Resources: Highlighting the need for balance, he urged the optimal implementation of sustainable development mechanisms for Morocco’s coastline. The goal is to reconcile rapid development with environmental protection, harnessing the potential of a “national maritime economy” that creates wealth and jobs.
- Expansion of Emerging Rural Centers: The program for emerging rural centers should be expanded, serving as a mechanism to manage urban expansion and bring administrative, social, and economic services closer to rural citizens.
A Call to Uphold the Nation’s Trust
Concluding his address, King Mohammed VI reminded Parliament that the coming year will be “replete with projects as well with challenges.” He called for a unified mobilization of energies from both the government and parliament, majority and opposition.
“I expect you all… to muster all energies and capabilities, and to make the best interests of the nation and the citizens prevail over any other consideration,” the King declared.
He ended with a powerful charge to the members of Parliament: “Therefore, do live up to the trust placed in you; be worthy of the responsibility falling upon you, and of the integrity, commitment, and self-denial required by the mission of serving the nation.”
BY: The Times Union
