Moroccan King urges speeding up advanced regionalization to spur economic, social development

King Mohammed VI called for speeding up the advanced regionalization process so that it can act as a lever for economic and social development and help address development challenges, unequal growth and regional disparities.

In a message to participants at the 2nd National Conference on Advanced Regionalization in Tangier, the King underscored the strategic character of administration devolution in consolidating local governance and spurring development.

But this ambitious endeavour faces challenges concerning the implementation of both the National Charter for Administrative Devolution and the powers of local governments as well as the challenges of strengthening participatory democracy at the local and regional levels, ensuring accountability in public office as regards the management of local affairs, enhancing the appeal of regions in order to attract productive investment, strengthening the capacity of regions to come up with new financing mechanisms and addressing certain crises and adapting to today’s deep changes and to future impacts, the King said.

The King also placed emphasis on the need to address water stress beyond by establishing “good water governance mechanisms to enhance an integrated public water policy.

“Properly tackling water stress is a key entry point for the achievement of sustainable local and regional development,” he said.

The King also urged regions to develop transport and mobility systems to reduce regional disparities, as Morocco becomes a regional hub and prepares to host the 2030 World Cup.

The Monarch also stressed on the need to make progress in digital transition

“…one can hardly imagine a regional or local development process without digital development, especially since digital technology has been playing an increasingly important role in the management of local and regional affairs,” the King said.

About Khalid Al Mouahidi 4556 Articles
Khalid Al Mouahidi : A binational from the US and Morocco, Khalid El Mouahidi has worked for several american companies in the Maghreb Region and is currently based in Casablanca, where he is doing consulting jobs for major international companies . Khalid writes analytical pieces about economic ties between the Maghreb and the Mena Region, where he has an extensive network