Exchanges focused on cooperation topics related to the experience of Morocco in agricultural development under the Generation Green strategy and the achievements of the Green Morocco Plan.

Several axes were at the center of the discussions, including the development of value chains to ensure the upstream - downstream integration of production chains, guarantee value, especially the experience of development of agropoles that aim to increase agricultural value added and its maintenance at the level of production basins in order to act on local social development, especially by creating employment and services around the ecosystem, said a statement by the Ministry.

This axis also focuses on the issue of modernizing marketing channels through the development of logistics (wholesale markets, weekly markets, and slaughterhouses), quality control and traceability, the same source added.

The discussions also tackled the control of irrigation water through its mobilization and modernization of irrigation systems that ensure water savings, a key factor for resilience and sustainability, as well as governance of the agricultural sector, based on an approach of accountability of stakeholders through public-private contracting, with an organization of the profession in a federation of inter-professions, training and development of human resources.

The other aspect mentioned is related to research and innovation that allow to adapt and create techniques and technologies appropriate to the different crop systems and adaptation to climate change.

The exchanges also focused on the strategy of Morocco in terms of South-South cooperation and triangular cooperation, a priority that reflects the vision of His Majesty King Mohammed VI.

The Dakar 2 Summit on food sovereignty wrapped up Friday in Diamniadio, 30 km from Dakar, with the adoption of the "Dakar Declaration".

The Summit, held from January 25 to 27 at the Abdou Diouf International Conference Center (CICAD) in Diamniadio, brought together representatives of some twenty countries including the Kingdom of Morocco, represented by a strong delegation led by the Head of Government, Aziz Akhannouch.

Speaking on this occasion, Khaled ES Satte, member of the House of Advisors, said that this meeting is held while the Kingdom commemorates the 25th anniversary of the Bayt Mal Al-Quds Asharif Agency, the financial arm of the Al-Quds Committee, chaired by HM King Mohammed VI.

He stressed that the projects implemented by the Committee in coordination with the relevant Palestinian institutions and with the Department of Waqfs in the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan as custodian of the holy places of the city, aim at protecting the holy city and supporting its inhabitants.

He underlined the importance of these programs and projects as well as their direct impact on the lives of the population in the sectors of health, education, housing, culture and sports.

He added that Moroccans and Palestinians are united by ties of brotherhood and affection, recalling, in this context, the spontaneous feelings of joy expressed and support shown to the national soccer team during its participation in the World Cup Qatar-2022 by the Arab and Islamic peoples, including the Palestinian people.

In the same vein, he called for supporting the Palestinian cause, which "will continue to unite us all".

After welcoming all initiatives, projects and programs to support the Palestinian issue, whether by the Al-Quds Committee or by other institutions, ES Satte emphasized the adherence of the Moroccan Parliament, with its two houses, to any initiative in favor of this cause.

He recalled a series of joint sessions held by the two houses of the Moroccan parliament to express rejection of what the Palestinians suffer or in solidarity with their struggle, noting that the rules of procedure of the Houses of Representatives and Advisors included a clause stipulating the creation of a thematic parliamentary committee responsible for the just Palestinian cause.

These projects are divided into 12 draft agreements and 14 amendments, said a statement by the Department of the Head of Government, noting that the sector of higher education is at the top of the investment projects approved, followed by the industrial sector and tourism.

In terms of job opportunities created, the higher education sector is the main provider with a total of 1,560 direct jobs projected, followed by the trade and real estate sector, then the tourism sector, said the same source.

In addition, projects with national capital represent 96% of projected investments, with nearly 27.5 billion dirhams.

During this meeting, the Head of Government recalled the importance of the reform of the State policy in the field of investment promotion and the need to adapt it to the deep changes that Morocco is undergoing at all levels, pursuant to the High Royal Orientations establishing investment as the engine of socio-economic development.

Akhannouch also welcomed the battery of measures taken by the government to accelerate reform projects aimed at facilitating the act of investing, including the simplification and digitization of procedures, administrative deconcentration, improving access to land as well as the urban planning framework.

These structuring projects, he stressed, will help promote the attractiveness and competitiveness of the Kingdom and strengthen the climate of confidence that makes Morocco an attractive investment destination.

Since the beginning of the current legislature, 7 sessions of the Investment Commission have been held, during which 84 draft agreements and amendments were approved, for a total amount of 67.6 billion dirhams, allowing the creation of 10,259 direct and 33,418 indirect jobs.

The meeting was attended by secretary general of the Government, Mohamed Hajoui, Minister of Economy and Finance, Nadia Fettah, Minister of Equipment and Water, Nizar Baraka, Minister of Health and Social Protection, Khalid Ait Taleb, Minister of National Territorial Planning, Urban Development, Housing and Urban Policy, Fatima Ezzahra El Mansouri, Minister of Economic Inclusion, Small Business, Labor and Skills, Younes Sekkouri, Minister of Industry and Trade, Ryad Mezzour, Minister of Tourism, Handicrafts and Social and Solidarity Economy, Fatima Zahra Ammor, Minister of Higher Education, Scientific Research and Innovation, Abdellatif Miraoui, Minister of Energy Transition and Sustainable Development, Leila Benali, Minister of Transport and Logistics Mohammed Abdeljalil, Minister Delegate to the Head of Government in charge of Investment, Convergence and Evaluation of Public Policies, Mohcine Jazouli and director general of the Moroccan Agency for the Development of Investment and Exports (AMDIE), Ali Seddiki.

An independent journalist and fervent press freedom advocate, Ihsane El Kadi is the director of the Algerian radio station Radio M and the news website Maghreb Émergent, media outlets that are critical of the authorities and the military in Algeria.

“He has for years been the target of political and judicial harassment and growing intimidation by the authorities, which have included arrests and criminal proceedings," the NGO wrote in a plea posted on its website.

This time, after being summoned twice in November for questioning by the security services, he was taken into custody on 24 December, his two media outlets were shut down the next day, and he was transferred to prison four days later, added the same source.

El Kadi’s arrest set off a big outcry and has given rise to a major international support campaign, waged in particular by RSF, which referred the case to the United Nations and organized a joint appeal for his release by 16 international media owners and editors, including Novaya Gazeta editor Dmitry Muratov, who was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 2021.

The publication of this annual report, by the services of the European Commission and the European External Action Service (EEAS), is part of the implementation of the agreement in the form of exchange of letters, amending Protocols 1 and 4 of the Association Agreement between Morocco and the EU, which entered into force on July 19, 2019, commonly known as ''Agricultural Agreement''.

As in previous years, the positive tone of the report, which details the various aspects of the benefits that this agreement brings to the population of the southern provinces of the Kingdom, reflects the quality of the Partnership between Morocco and the European Union, and attests to the satisfactory implementation of the Agricultural Agreement, including through the tools of dialogue and exchange of information existing between the two parties.

+Quantitative impact on socio-economic development

The report confirms the upward trends in 2021 in trade between the two parties, thanks to the Agreement and the tariff preferences enjoyed by Moroccan products, including those of the Southern Provinces, for export to the EU, making them more competitive and attractive.

Supported by figures, the document reaffirms the positive impact of the agreement on the socio-economic development of the Moroccan Sahara regions and their populations, in terms of economic growth, production and export of agricultural and fisheries products, job creation and investment.

Main conclusion: Thanks to their development, the Moroccan Sahara regions have now become a real hub of prosperity and investment in the framework of the win-win partnership with the European Union.

Overall, the document of about thirty pages highlights the significant progress made by the Kingdom for the development of its southern provinces, under the "development program 2016-2021", through the implementation of major projects and various public policies deployed in these regions. It confirms the impact of the measures deployed and their multiplier effects in terms of investments, improvement of working conditions, socio-economic integration of women, strong support to youth, or infrastructure development.

+Substantial efforts and colossal investments

Equally important: The report reflects a recognition by the Commission and the EEAS of the substantial efforts made by the Kingdom in its Southern Provinces, in terms of rationalized and sustainable use of natural resources (Dakhla Port project, desalination plant project, plan to combat desertification, ...). It also notes significant national investments in the renewable energy sector, electricity production in the region and the development of new industrial activities that create jobs.

In its comprehensive and inclusive approach, the report recalls that the various economic actors and representatives of civil society, including non-governmental organizations active in the field of human rights in these regions, have stressed the paramount importance of the Agreement, its satisfactory implementation and its beneficial impact on the socio-economic development of the Moroccan Sahara regions.

The agreement is implemented in a balanced way. The tools for its proper implementation are still in place and functioning properly. Information exchanges have been carried out regularly and in a spirit of cooperation. The exchange system provides, on a monthly basis, information on exports of products and is functioning properly and has not given rise to research difficulties, the report says.

According to them, there is a constructive dialogue and regular contacts between the European Commission and the Moroccan authorities to ensure the proper implementation of the agreement.

+Important achievements in the defense of human rights

Without evading any area, the European Executive and the EEAS highlight Morocco's important efforts and achievements in the defense of human rights at the national level, and its active role at the multilateral level, as evidenced by its election as a member of the Human Rights Council for the period 2023-2025. It recalls the regular dialogue between Morocco and the EU within the framework of the Subcommittee on Human Rights, Democratization and Governance and the important role played by the regional Human Rights Commissions in Dakhla and Laayoune, reiterated in the latest UN Security Council resolution.

Regarding the National Issue, the document recalls the EU's support for the UN-led process and the efforts of the new Personal Envoy of the UN Secretary General, Staffan de Mistura. It affirms the EU's commitment to strengthening regional cooperation and its readiness to contribute to it.

+Stinging reversal for Algeria

A new slap in the face by the European institutions to the propaganda of the adversaries on a so-called "plundering" of the resources of the Southern Provinces, the report confirms the importance of this Agreement for the Southern Provinces, and thus goes against the objective sought by the adversaries, aiming to deprive the populations of these regions of their right to development.

It represents a new setback inflicted by the European Commission and the EEAS to Algeria and the polisario, which keep multiplying unsuccessful maneuvers in order to question the legality of the Agreements between the EU and Morocco, covering the Southern Provinces. It comes, in fact, in the wake of the decision of the Administrative Court of London, rejecting their legal action against the Association Agreement between Morocco and the United Kingdom, which confirmed the validity of this Agreement that benefits the populations and development of all Moroccan regions.

No matter how much Algeria dislikes it, for which the report sounds like a rejection, this 2022 edition is further evidence of the continuity of trade relations between Morocco and the European Union, their stability, and the EU's continued commitment to its comprehensive, strategic, and long-standing partnership with Morocco.

In 2016, Morocco had launched, at the COP22 in Marrakech, the Initiative for the Adaptation of African Agriculture, bringing together 38 countries of the continent, recalled the same source, noting that the objective is to reduce the vulnerability of Africa and its agriculture to climate change.

The initiative makes South-South cooperation a key mechanism for its implementation, it said.

"This cooperation aims to transfer to African countries the successful agricultural development experiences in Morocco, in order to help achieve food security," said the Head of Government, Aziz Akhannouch, during a panel that brought together a dozen heads of state around their vision of growth in agriculture, regional integration and public-private partnerships, according to the AfDB statement.

Another example highlighted by Akhannouch, the statement added, is the Green Morocco Plan. Launched 15 years ago, it has given a strong boost to the agricultural sector, with an investment of nearly $13 billion over the 2008-2020 period.

It has helped increase GDP in agriculture by more than 5.5% per year. More importantly, "the sector has become more resilient to climate change and drought events. The plan has led to the conclusion of 19 program-contracts between the State and agro-industrial professionals to develop the value chains of agricultural sectors," according to the same source.

The new strategy of Morocco called "Generation Green 2020-2030", highlighted the AfDB, offers a framework for more resilience of the food system.

"It is based on the priority of the human element and the sustainability of agricultural development," said Akhannouch. It is meant, on the one hand, to "develop an agricultural middle class, encourage entrepreneurship among young people and extend social security coverage to all farmers and agricultural workers"; and, on the other hand, to "consolidate the achievements of the Green Morocco Plan" and "double agricultural GDP and exports, while implementing new solutions for the rationalization of water resources in light of new climatic challenges”.

Led by the Head of Government, the Moroccan delegation to the Dakar 2 Summit is composed of Mohamed Sadiki, Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries, Rural Development and Water and Forests, Nizar Baraka, Minister of Equipment and Water, Mostafa Terrab, CEO of the Office chérifien des phosphates, Chakib Alj, president of the Moroccan Employers' Association, Obaid Amrane, General Manager of the sovereign fund Ithmar Capital, as well as the Moroccan Ambassador to Senegal, Hassan Naciri.

In an interview published Thursday on the website "Madar21", the MEP said that the achievement of progress in the Moroccan-European partnership is "still possible", expressing regret for the "incomprehensible" resolution recently adopted by the European Parliament which "turned its back on Morocco".

The Moroccan Parliament had announced on Monday its decision to reconsider its relations with the European Parliament by submitting them to a comprehensive reassessment, aiming to take firm and appropriate decisions, following the latest positions of the European Parliament towards Morocco.

"We need each other. The European Union has a reliable partner, which is the Kingdom of Morocco, and this partnership is a fundamental pillar of the Union's foreign policy in Africa," said Mariani. He added: "We must do everything to rebuild the relationship, which has been severely damaged”.

He recalled his speech before the European Parliament last week, in which he had pointed to the passivity of the EP in the face of the situation in Algeria, noting that "the European left has a complex towards the National Liberation Front and its heirs in Algiers”.

This left, he stressed, "will never attack Algeria and its authoritarian regime, which represents a model in terms of violations," noting that the support networks of the polisario are all from the European left.

The MEP spoke out against the attitude of the European Parliament that "has not undertaken any action to express its solidarity with the Hirak that has emerged in Algeria in 2019”.

He noted, in this context, that in view of the current situation related to the global energy crisis, "Brussels will not express any position against Algeria, insofar as the European Commission needs Algerian gas to ensure the success of its hostile strategy against Russia”.

Regarding relations between Rabat and Paris, the MEP, who criticized the policy of France in Africa in general, noted that the two countries share many topics of common interest, including consular agreements, control of migration flows and development of East Africa.

On the other hand, he noted that the "economic development dynamic launched by HM King Mohammed VI, and which is based on a stable and unified state, has borne fruit," stressing that Morocco is "the most developed country in the region”.

Auckland City FC arrived in Tangier on a flight from Spain where it had conducted a training camp in the suburbs of Barcelona to be ready for the Club World Cup.

The Auckland-based New Zealand football club will face Al Ahly (Egypt) on February 1 in the opening match of this international event on the pitch of the Tangier Grand Stadium.

Auckland City FC coach Albert Riera Vidal told the press that this participation in the Club World Cup in Morocco will bring a lot of happiness to many people in New Zealand, adding that everything here in Morocco is wonderful, especially the warm welcome.

He added that his team is ready after a preparation camp of about 10 days in Spain.

For his part, the captain of the team Auckland City FC said, that the players are ready and have prepared well in Barcelona, Spain, for this competition.

The opening game between Egypt's Al Ahly and Auckland City FC (February 1) will take place in Tangier. The winner of this match will face Seattle Sounders FC (USA) (February 4) in the 1st quarterfinal.

In addition, the winner of the 2nd quarter-final between Al Hilal SFC (Saudi Arabia), winner of the AFC Champions League, and Wydad Casablanca, winner of the CAF Champions League, will face the Brazilian club CR Flamengo, winner of the Copa Libertadores, (February 8) in Tangier.

For its part, the MASI.20, an index reflecting the performance of the 20 most liquid companies listed, lost 0.2% to 806.7 pts.

A total of 24,919,732 people have received the first dose of the COVID-19 vaccine, while the number of fully vaccinated people (1st and 2nd doses) has reached 23,420,920, the ministry pointed out in its daily COVID-19 bulletin, noting that 6,874,986 people have received the third dose of the vaccine, while 59,766 people have got the fourth shot.

According to the same source, the number of COVID-19 cases reported since the start of the outbreak of the virus rose to 1,272,217, while recoveries increased to 1,255,835, i.e. a recovery rate of 98.7%.

The new COVID-19 cases were recorded in the regions of Casablanca-Settat (04), Rabat-Salé-Kenitra (03), the Oriental (01), Souss-Massa (01) and Fez-Meknes (01).

As for coronavirus-related fatalities, their number remained at 16,296, with no case recorded in the last 24 hours.

The number of active cases stands at 86, with no severe or critical case reported in the past 24 hours, for a total of two cases.