This is the first time that Morocco wins this international award in Cannes.

Projected last Thursday in world premiere at Cannes in the official selection "Un Certain Regard" alongside 18 other films from around the world, "the Blue Caftan" received a standing ovation on this occasion.

Produced by Nabil Ayouch and Amine Benjelloun, "The Blue Caftan" is a movie about traditions and love.

The film relates the story of Halim and Mina, a couple who run a Caftan store in the Medina of Salé, joined by Youssef, a young apprentice who shares with his Maalem Halim the same sincere passion for sewing.

The film features Lubna Azabal, Saleh Bakri, Ayoub Missioui, Mounia Lamkimel, Hamid Zoughi and many other Moroccan actors.

The first FIPRESCI award ceremony took place in 1946 during the first Cannes Film Festival.

A total of 24,829,890 people have received the first dose of the COVID-19 vaccine, while the number of fully vaccinated people (1st and 2nd doses) has reached 23,310,599, the ministry pointed out in its daily COVID-19 bulletin, noting that 6,410,393 people have received the third dose of the vaccine.

According to the same source, the number of COVID-19 cases reported since the start of the outbreak of the virus rose to 1,167,732, while recoveries increased to 1,150,173, i.e. a recovery rate of 98.5%.

The new COVID-19 cases were recorded in the regions of Casablanca-Settat (84), Rabat-Salé-Kénitra (52), Marrakech-Safi (28), Souss-Massa (11), Tangier-Tetouan-Al Hoceima (10), Fez-Meknes (09), the Oriental (05), Draa-Tafilalet (04), Laayoune-Sakia El Hamra (1) and Beni Mellal- Khenifra (1).

As for coronavirus-related fatalities, they stand at 16,076 (fatality rate of 1.4%), with no case reported in the past 24 hours.

The number of active cases has reached 1,483, while no severe or critical cases were recorded in the past 24 hours.

Signed, via videoconference, by the Minister of Energy Transition and Sustainable Development, Leila Benali, and the Bahraini Minister of Electricity and Water, Wael bin Nasser Al Mubarak, the agreement covers the exchange of expertise, technology transfer, capacity building and the consolidation of public and private investment in the renewable energy sector.

It also aims to support the implementation of several initiatives related to renewable energy in order to achieve development goals and serve the common interests of both countries, through the exploration, examination and development of sectors related to renewable energy, including cooperation in expanding use of renewable resources.

This agreement also seeks to encourage investment and exchange of expertise, especially in relation to solar energy projects, the development of storage technology and automation, as well as programs to strengthen skills.

Under this agreement, the two sides will work on the development of several activities, including programs to assess renewable energy resources, projects to integrate solar energy techniques in buildings, as well as support training and workshops in this field.

The two countries are also committed to develop relations of governmental and academic institutions with the private sector.

Speaking on this occasion, the Bahraini minister noted that the guidelines of the leaders of the two countries, as well as bilateral relations are the basis of cooperation prospects between the various sectors in the two kingdoms, expressing his wish to strengthen bilateral cooperation and exchange of expertise and global practices, in order to achieve the common goals and pursue the path of development, for a better and sustainable world.

For her part, the Moroccan minister praised the fraternal ties and strong cooperative relations between the two countries in several areas, saying that both sides aspire to raise these relations to higher levels in the service of common goals, in implementation of the guidelines of the leaders of the two countries, His Majesty King Mohammed VI and His Majesty King Hamad bin Issa bin Salman Al Khalifa.

"This MoU is a model of cooperation through which we aspire to achieve a sustainable, comprehensive and flexible energy transition in both countries, through the exchange of expertise and best practices, as well as technology transfer and capacity building," she pointed out.

The Minister reviewed the main outlines of the national energy strategy, which seeks to make the energy transition a driver of economic and social development in Morocco, noting that this strategy aims to ensure supply security, availability of energy, widespread access to energy, control of demand and preservation of the environment.

To achieve these objectives, Benali stressed that strategic guidelines have been adopted and declined into action plans in the short, medium and long terms, including diversification of the energy mix, its improvement and development of renewable energy and energy efficiency, in addition to ensuring flexibility in the power system, consolidating the decentralized production of electricity, developing a carbon-neutral industry and exploring new sources of energy, innovative methods of energy storage, as well as strengthening the regional inclusion.

In this regard, Morocco has set out ambitious targets, including the consolidation of the share of renewable energy in the electricity mix to more than 52% by 2030 and strengthening energy efficiency by reducing energy consumption by 20% by 2030.

In addition, the Minister underlined that Morocco has already begun to benefit from this strategy, noting that more than 50 projects have been developed with a capacity of 4 Gigawatt, while 60 other projects are underway.

In addition, she noted that renewable energy projects are designed to achieve integrated economic development, which can enhance its direct impact on employment, education, health, agriculture and infrastructure development, and contribute to improving the living conditions of citizens and sustainable economic development.

"It is also a renewed commitment to honor the historical legacy of the founding fathers of this exceptional relationship," the Moroccan diplomat pointed out in an interview with Senegalese magazine 'La Gazette', published in its latest issue.

"These are new instruments that complement what already exists, responding to developments and emerging needs in terms of cooperation in a regional and international environment in constant change," the ambassador noted.

"The ultimate goal is to bring together the optimal conditions for our common emergence," he said.

In this regard, the diplomat stressed that cooperation between the Republic of Senegal and the Kingdom of Morocco which "is based on the paradigm of common destiny, with all that this implies, covers all areas, without exclusion, including the military and security aspects."

The two agreements were initialed by minister of Foreign Affairs, African Cooperation and Moroccans Abroad, Nasser Bourita, and the Minister of Foreign Affairs and Senegalese abroad, Aïssata Tall Sall, on the sidelines of the inauguration ceremony of the Consulate General of Senegal in Dakhla.

The first agreement on cooperation in decentralization defines the framework of cooperation between the two countries in this field. The second concerns cooperation in the sector of information and communication technologies and seeks to establish the framework for exchange and collaboration in this field.

On the other hand, the ambassador stressed that Morocco, under the enlightened leadership of His Majesty King Mohammed VI, "has welcomed, since the beginning, the Senegalese Presidency of the African Union (AU) and is committed to accompany and support the realization of its agenda which is an intelligent and pragmatic declination of the AU's 2063 Agenda."

"This is in line with the concordance of views and continuous interaction existing at the top of our two States and reinforces the recognized leadership of Senegal," the diplomat said, noting that the Senegalese presidency of the AU takes place in a "context of anxiety marked by the Covid-19 pandemic and its socio-economic and political fallout, particularly for African countries."

In this regard, Naciri praised "the vision and pragmatism" of Senegalese diplomacy which "has already set the tone of voluntarism and activism of this presidency", provided "brilliantly" by the Head of State Macky Sall.

Regarding Madrid's new stance on the Moroccan Sahara, Mr. Naciri noted that Spain "shows its commitment to the process of settling this conflict within the framework of Moroccan sovereignty, the only serious, credible and realistic option".

It thus follows in the footsteps of Germany and the United States, as well as several brotherly and friendly countries which have always sided with the legitimate rights of Morocco, including Senegal, he recalled.

Mr. Bourita, who represents HM King Mohammed VI in the Extraordinary Summit on Terrorism and Unconstitutional Changes of Government of the African Union (AU), which opened on Saturday, stressed that the 85 member states of the Global Coalition to Defeat ISIS, which meet in Marrakech on May 11, recorded these changes, which the Dakar International Forum on Peace and Security, held in 2016, under the chairmanship of Mr. Macky Sall had anticipated.

In the face of this mutating threat, our collective strength has never been so much a function of our individual vulnerabilities, said Mr. Bourita.

Moreover, the minister pointed out that dwelling once again on this theme of terrorism and unconstitutional changes of governments reflects a concern that is very relevant.

"Relevant in view of the challenging situation that Africa is going through, marked by a succession, even a concomitance, of crises, security in this case, which leaves no respite," he explained.

Relevant, too, in that it reflects a lucid look at the evolution of the terrorist phenomenon in Africa; and in particular this ability that it acquires to take on the colors of all the evils on which it feeds: instability, insecurity, precariousness and separatism, he noted.

In this regard, the minister pointed out that the Continent's security indicators are turning red, one after the other, adding that this is a sign of the "mixed" operational assessment of the AU Action Plan on the prevention and the fight against terrorism adopted in 2002.

But, he said, if it has not made it possible to structure an effective response at the continental level, this Action Plan will have had the merit of existing, and of advocating for the strengthening of a legal framework which can be very useful in the future.

Mr. Bourita called for not neglecting any political or operational space, any source of national or regional tension; and, above all, leave no country behind.

In this regard, the minister regretted Mali's decision to withdraw from the G5-Sahel which is "very bad news to ponder", expressing the wish that this brotherly country, whose commitment against terrorism is well know, can quickly recover its place in "our collective response".

On the other hand, the Moroccan minister welcomed Mauritania's efforts in this area, calling, once again, for a truly strategic continental action against terrorism.

This, he underlined, can only be conceived within a global and integrated approach combining security action, economic and social action; and cultural and religious action.

The AU Extraordinary Humanitarian Summit and Pledging Conference was held Friday in the capital of Equatorial Guinea.

Accompanied by a large high-level delegation, the Minister of Foreign Affairs, African Cooperation and Moroccans Abroad, Nasser Bourita, represents HM King Mohammed VI in these two Summits.

In a joint communiqué released at the end of their discussions, Mr. Bourita and Mrs. Ragnaghnewendé Rouamba commended the quality of the feelings of esteem and respect", which characterize these relations, marked by an important exchange of visits, in particular the visit of HM King Mohammed VI to Burkina Faso in March 2005.

While expressing their determination to strengthen the ties of friendship and cooperation in various sectors of common interest, the two ministers agreed to continue to explore new avenues of cooperation, particularly in the economic, scientific, technical and cultural fields, as well as cooperation in matters of security and the fight against terrorism and radicalism, for the mutual benefit of the two countries and peoples, the document points out.

Mr. Bourita and Mrs. Ragnaghnewendé Rouamba expressed their "deep concern over the rise of extremism and terrorism in Africa, particularly in the Sahel region, and reaffirmed their commitment to work together for peace and stability".

The two officials committed themselves, in this regard, to ensure better coordination of their actions and mutual support, in regional and international bodies, to fight against the scourges of extremism and terrorism and thus create favorable conditions for regional and international peace and security and the economic development of the African continent.

On this occasion, Mr. Bourita reiterated the position of the Kingdom of Morocco condemning the terrorist attacks perpetrated in Burkina Faso, which caused several victims and injuries, while expressing all the solidarity of the Kingdom with the people and the government of Burkina Faso and voicing condolences to the families of the victims, underlines the joint communiqué.

The two ministers called on the international community to strengthen its commitment to fight against terrorism.

On the economic level, the two ministers welcomed the creation of the Moroccan-Burkinabe Business Council as well as the great economic presence of Morocco in Burkina Faso, particularly in the banking, insurance, telecommunications, cement, electricity and the media sectors.

Noting that the level of trade between the two countries increased from 47 million USD in 2016 to 71 million in 2019, the two ministers said that this level still remains below the potential offered by both sides and urged the economic operators and businessmen of the two countries to invest more in it.

On the other hand, Mr. Bourita and Mrs. Ragnaghnewendé Rouamba welcomed the launch of the Monitoring Center of the Higher Communication Council (CSC) of Burkina Faso, on December 27, 2019, which is the result of a partnership aimed at strengthening relations of cooperation between the High Authority for Audiovisual Communication (HACA) and the CSC, following the agreement signed in Ouagadougou on July 9, 2019.

Mr. Bourita reaffirmed, on this occasion, the readiness of the Kingdom of Morocco to put the Moroccan experience at the disposal of the Burkinabe authorities, through exchanges of visits and the organization of training for Burkinabe executives, says the joint communiqué.

In this regard, the minister invited his Burkinabé counterpart to pay a working visit to Morocco, on a date to be decided by mutual agreement through diplomatic channels.

At the multilateral level, the two ministers agreed to support, in a concerted and mutual manner, the Moroccan and Burkinabe candidacies at the level of continental and international bodies.

Mr. Bourita met with the Foreign Ministers of Guinea-Bissau, Rwanda, Chad, Sao-Tome and Principe, Mauritania, Liberia, Nigeria, Equatorial Guinea, Sierra Leone, Burundi, Gambia, Malawi and Togo.

He also held talks with the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Democratic Republic of the Congo and with the Cameroonian top diplomat.

Mr. Bourita also had a bilateral meeting with the President of the Libyan Presidential Council, Mohamed Younes Al-Manfi.

These talks focused on bilateral relations and the ways to consolidate them in all areas.

Mr. Bourita represents HM King Mohammed VI at the two extraordinary Summits of the African Union, which are being held on Friday and Saturday in Malabo.

The Extraordinary Humanitarian Summit and Pledging Conference opened Friday morning, while the Extraordinary Summit on Unconstitutional Changes of Governments in Africa will take place on Saturday in the Equatoguinean capital.

The operation led to the seizure of 1.5 tonne of drugs, which were transported to the port of Tangier and handed over to the local Royal Gendarmerie for investigation and procedures, the source added.

In a joint statement made public following her discussions on Friday with the Minister of Foreign Affairs, African Cooperation and Moroccans Abroad, Mr. Nasser Bourita, Mrs. Ragnaghnewendé Rouamba noted that the Moroccan Initiative for Autonomy represents "a credible and serious way for the settlement of the conflict over the Sahara".

The Burkinabe top diplomat also hailed the efforts of the United Nations as the exclusive framework for achieving a realistic, practical and lasting solution to the dispute over the Sahara.

She expressed, in this regard, her country's support for the search for a lasting solution to this issue, which preserves the territorial integrity, unity and sovereignty of the Kingdom of Morocco, under the exclusive aegis of the United Nations and in compliance with decision 693 of the Summit of Heads of State and Government of the African Union of July 2018.

For his part, Mr. Bourita seized this opportunity to welcome Burkina Faso's participation in the ministerial conference in support of the Autonomy Initiative under the sovereignty of Morocco organized virtually on January 15, 2021, at the invitation of the Kingdomof Morocco and the United States of America.

The minister also commended the strengthening of relations of cooperation between the two countries and welcomed the opening by Burkina Faso of its Consulate General in Dakhla in October 2020 and the appointment of a Consul General.