Moroccan King Mohammed VI on Friday (9 October) called for a "new generation" of major national strategies in water, energy, food security, industrial takeoff, the digital economy and artificial intelligence, as he opened the first session of the country's 12th Legislature.
Addressing parliament, the king said that alongside accelerating planned infrastructure projects, Morocco must launch the new strategies to keep pace with rapidly accelerating geo-economic shifts.
He said the country, guided by a clear vision, has embarked on a new wave of reforms and major projects, according to a press release.
Mohammed VI also reiterated his call to speed up the development of the kingdom's strategic reserves and to secure the supply of basic commodities.
'Turning point'
The king said he expects the new legislative and governmental term to be a "real turning point" in advancing Morocco as a rising, dependable economic power, balancing economic growth with greater social and territorial equity.
Private sector
He urged the private sector to become a strategic player in national development, showing greater initiative and a keener innovative spirit.
The king said it should increase its capacity to create jobs, invest and export.
Youth
Mohammed VI said youth issues must be at the forefront of public policies and of the agenda of governance bodies.
He called for a comprehensive vision guaranteeing equal opportunities, covering education, skills development and economic integration, to strengthen young people's confidence in social advancement and state institutions.
Regions
The king said the real challenge in the coming period lies in fieldwork at the local level, identifying each region's actual problems and finding realistic solutions.
He added that any further delay in implementing the de-concentration charter is "unacceptable", calling for the transfer of competencies and of human and financial resources from central government to provinces and regions.
He also urged clearer definitions of regional institutions' competencies and greater resources for them.
Spain
On migration, the king said the current cooperation model has become outdated, citing recurring crises.
Mohammed VI noted that cooperation with Spain faces challenges from "obsolete legal provisions and unrealistic judicial rulings" that hinder the repatriation of minors and fake asylum seekers.
He said the partnership is a sovereign choice and a voluntary commitment that will never be subject to "pressure, threat or blackmail".
Morocco will present partners with a document setting out a strategic vision for shared development, economic competitiveness and regional stability, he added.
The king congratulated members of the House of Representatives on the confidence placed in them by voters and described the parliamentary mandate as a "political commitment and a moral contract" with citizens.
Crown Prince Moulay El Hassan, Prince Moulay Rachid and Prince Moulay Ahmed accompanied the king at the session.
According to the press release, the royal speech is one of lucidity; it recognises the progress achieved, but also the limitations of the current model.
When faced with obstacles, Morocco does not merely criticise; Morocco puts forward a strategic, concrete and forward-looking vision, it added.
"The kingdom is reversing the traditional North–South dynamic by approaching Europe with concrete proposals, moving beyond rhetoric and controversy."