HM the King addresses Parliament on the occasion of the opening of the first session of the 5th legislative year of the 11th Legislature

Here follows the full text of the Royal speech:

“Praise be to God.

May peace and blessings be upon the Prophet, His Kith and Kin.

Distinguished Members of Parliament,

With the gracious help of the Almighty, I am hereby declaring today the opening of the final legislative year of the House of Representatives’ current term.

This is an opportunity for me to express my appreciation for the work you do in the areas of legislation, oversight of government action, and evaluation of public policies.

I wish to commend the efforts made to promote party and parliamentary diplomacy in order to serve the nation’s foremost causes. In this regard, I call for greater diligence and effectiveness with respect to cooperation and complementarity with our official diplomacy.

This being the final year in the mandate of the members of the House of Representatives, I invite you to devote it 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.

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.

With that in mind, 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.

This matter is not the responsibility of the government alone. Although it is everyone’s responsibility, it is, first and foremost, your duty as parliamentarians, given that you represent the citizens.

This 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.

Honorable Members of Parliament,

In the last Throne Day Address, I called for accelerating the march of emerging Morocco, and launching next-generation programs for local development.

As you know, these are major questions that exceed governmental and parliamentary terms and timeframes.

By the grace of the Almighty, and thanks to the dynamics I set in motion, our country has embarked on achieving greater social and territorial equity.

In this regard, I seek to ensure everyone benefits from the fruits of growth, and from equal opportunities among the citizens of our unified country, when it comes to political, economic, social, and other rights.

I therefore consider the level of local development to be the mirror that truly reflects the progress of the emerging, united Morocco we are all seeking to consolidate.

Achieving social justice and combating inter-regional disparities are not empty slogans, nor do they constitute a temporary priority whose importance may decline depending on circumstances.

Rather, I view this as a strategic policy objective to which all actors must adhere; it is a vital, core element which must govern and determine all development policies.

Therefore, the efforts made by emerging Morocco to achieve social and inter-regional equity today require mobilization of all of the nation’s energies.

The major shift I seek to achieve concerning 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.

I therefore expect a faster implementation pace and stronger impacts from the next-generation local development programs I asked the government to prepare, making sure urban and rural areas equally benefit from them.

This concerns, in particular, the key priority areas I had identified, especially 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.

In this regard, I call on everyone – each from their position – to combat all practices that squander time, effort, and resources. Indeed, one cannot be complacent when it comes to the effectiveness and return on public investment.

In addition to the directives given in the Throne Day Address regarding local development, I invite you to focus on the following issues:

– First: Give special attention to the most fragile areas, taking into account their specificities and the nature of their needs, 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. We need to come up with an integrated public policy for these regions – one that takes into account their specificities as well as their numerous resources.

– Second: Achieve the optimal use of sustainable development mechanisms regarding our 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.

– Third: Expand 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.

Distinguished Members of Parliament,

The coming year will be replete with projects as well as challenges.

I expect you all – government and parliament, majority and opposition – to muster all energies and capabilities, and to make the best interests of the nation and the citizens prevail over any other consideration.

Therefore, do live up – may God protect you – 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.

Almighty God says: “Then shall anyone who has done an atom’s weight of good see it; and anyone who has done an atom’s weight of evil shall see it.” True is the Word of God.

Wassalamou alaikoum warahmatoullahi wabarakatouh.”