Speaking at the first conference of the second edition of "MD Talks", Benmoussa said that this digitization can recreate the conditions for a relationship of trust between society and the state.

It is also considered to be transforming the relationship of the State with citizens, businesses and all stakeholders, through its contribution to the facilitation of access to information and public services and the possibility of citizen participation, he argued.

The digital is among the five bets of the NMD, said the Minister, highlighting the existence of a number of components on human, competence and research, corresponding to the implementation of the bet of digitization.

In this regard, the Ministry of National Education has just launched a national consultation on a draft roadmap in full consistency with the principles of the NMD and the framework defined by the Framework Law 51.17 on the system of education, training and scientific research, added Benmoussa.

"The objective is to translate on the operational level a number of sub-referentials and major principles, putting the child and the student at the heart of the system," he said, adding that this operationalization should be based on the tools that can be developed to improve teaching practices at the classroom level.

He recalled that the NMD aims to develop a vision and an ambition for Morocco by 2035, "which is a shared and multidimensional ambition that reflects who we are and our identity, an ambition where human capital is really at the center.

Candidate for one of the two vacant seats under the region EMR, Morocco has been able to garner the support of member states of the Organization through the mobilization of the entire diplomatic apparatus of the Kingdom, in close coordination with the Ministry of Health and Social Protection, said the same source.

This election is a pledge of the credibility of the Kingdom's action within the WHO for the promotion of global health, and reflects the confidence of the international community in the relevance of Morocco's approach to the management of the pandemic, in accordance with the Vision of His Majesty King Mohammed VI, which is based on proactivity, solidarity and the primacy of the health of citizens, notes the release.

Morocco will use its mandate to contribute to the achievement of the "triple billion" goal, which is the focus of the WHO's five-year strategic plan, namely to protect one billion people from emergencies, to provide universal health coverage to one billion people and to ensure better health and well-being for one billion people by 2023, the ministry said.

WHO is a specialized agency of the United Nations responsible for leading and coordinating global health within the United Nations system, whose main areas of activity are communicable and non-communicable diseases, preparedness, surveillance and response to crises, promotion of health throughout life and strengthening health systems, recalls the statement, noting that the WHO Board, composed of 34 members, is the body responsible for the implementation of decisions and guidelines of the World Health Assembly.

Funded by the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) and the Japan Science and Technology Agency (JST), as part of the Partnership for Scientific Research and Technology for Sustainable Development (SATREPS), this project aims to establish scientific evidence on the medicinal and industrial values of specific and abundant bio-resources in the North African region.

The project, whose closing seminar was organized by JICA and the University of Tsukuba in Japan, in collaboration with the Ministry of Agriculture, Maritime Fisheries, Rural Development and Water and Forests and the Ministry of Higher Education, Scientific Research and Innovation, also aims to develop scientific technologies to process, enhance and further promote the sustainable use of these bio-resources, especially those producing oil such as Argan and olive, among other aromatic and medicinal plants.

This project, implemented in Morocco and Tunisia since 2016, has enabled the participating institutions in Morocco, namely the IAV in Rabat and Cadi Ayyad University in Marrakech, to benefit from a number of technical trainings in Japan, using state-of-the-art equipment provided by the project.

Under this project, the Director of Education, Training and Research at the Ministry of Agriculture, Bilal Hajjouji, said that Moroccan researchers have produced 60 publications and 80 papers at international conferences, highlighting the success of scientific collaboration with Japan.

Hajjouji, also director of SATREPS project, stressed that this project is fully within the guidelines of the national strategy Generation Green, which aims to develop agricultural sectors.

For his part, the Japanese ambassador to Morocco, Hideaki Kuramitsu noted that the technical assistance scheme SATREPS, designed by Japan, represents an opportunity for researchers on both sides, to inaugurate a new era of ownership of research projects that were previously done in external laboratories.

In addition, Kuramitsu welcomed the policy of great economic change operated by the new development model towards a knowledge-based economy, green, citizen and inclusive, ensuring that scientific research and innovation are disciplines capable of providing real solutions to such a change.

This meeting, held in hybrid format, was attended by representatives of government, academic institutions of higher education and research, inter-professional federations and the private sector, Japanese companies, and representatives of the Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research of Tunisia.

The Summit on Humanitarian Issues in the Continent opened Friday morning, while the one on the fight against terrorism and unconstitutional changes of government in Africa is scheduled for Saturday in the Equatorial Guinean capital.

These two extraordinary summits come at a time when the African continent is facing several security, health, food insecurity and climate change challenges, in addition to internal and community armed conflicts, as well as growing humanitarian difficulties aggravated by the socio-economic impact of the COVID-19 pandemic and the Russian-Ukrainian conflict.

Arriola, who spoke at a reception organized by the Embassy of Morocco in Paraguay on the occasion of the International Day of Africa, expressed his "admiration for Morocco, its culture and its leadership at regional and continental levels".

The Foreign Minister was part of an array of senior officials who attended the reception, including the Minister of Industry and Trade, Luis Castiglioni, the Minister of Culture, Ruben Capdevilla, the Minister of the National Council of Science and Technology, Eduardo Felippo, the former Minister of Foreign Affairs, Antonio Ruffinelli, in addition to other personalities from the diplomatic, academic, economic, media and civil society, according to a statement from the Moroccan Embassy.

On this occasion, Castiglioni highlighted the role of Morocco as "artisan of the transformation of Africa, as the first investor in the continent."

He said he was convinced that thanks to "brotherly" Morocco, which is a gateway to Africa for Paraguay, the Paraguayans will be able to position themselves in strength in this continent.

For his part, the Moroccan Ambassador in Asunción, Badreddine Abdelmoumni noted that this celebration is a moment of reflection on Africa, its contrasts and diversity, the enormous challenges it faces, as well as the multiple potentialities that make it the continent of the 21st century.

In this regard, the Moroccan diplomat stressed the role of Morocco as a catalyst for development and a link tool with the northern neighborhood, underlying the unconditional commitment of Morocco alongside the national liberation movements of most African countries such as Algeria, South Africa, Angola, Mozambique, among others.

Abdelmoumni illustrated this commitment with a passage from the speech of His Majesty King Mohammed VI, on the occasion of the 63rd anniversary of the Revolution of the King and the People, in which the Sovereign said that "For us, Africa is not about goals and objectives; dealing with Africa involves a commitment towards the African citizen, wherever he or she may be",

The various speakers highlighted the pioneering role of Morocco both during the liberation from the yoke of colonialism in Africa and during all these years where Morocco has made a considerable contribution to the construction of a united Africa, solidarity and continuous development.

In his turn, Capdevilla welcomed the celebration of this day and the participation of representatives of the Afro-Paraguayan community, noting that the government is developing a law that recognizes the rights of Afro-Paraguayan descendants.

For his part, Felippo welcomed the opportunity offered by this celebration to better open up to Africa, stressing that "Morocco plays an important role in the African continent”.

This ceremony was marked by the screening of the documentary film "Morocco and the liberation movements in Africa", which highlights the political, financial, logistical and diplomatic support of Morocco to the national liberation movements in Africa, as well as a photographic exhibition illustrating the support provided by Morocco to the independence movement of African states.

The Royal Distinction was given to Shinozuka by Morocco's Ambassador to Japan Rachad Bouhlal, during a ceremony held at the residence of Morocco, in the presence of several Japanese personalities, including Odano Nobutake, Special Advisor to the Board of Chamberlains at the Imperial Household Agency, Hirose Haruko, former Ambassador of Japan to Morocco and President of the Japan-Morocco Association, Iwami Misuzu, former Deputy Grand Master of Ceremonies at the Imperial Household Agency and Mr. Miyake Kunihiko, President of the Foreign Policy Institute.

In a speech on this occasion, Bouhlal said that the Royal Distinction is a high recognition of Shinozuka's constant efforts during his diplomatic career in Morocco, in favor of the promotion of relations between Morocco and Japan.

This distinction also reflects the excellence of relations between Morocco and Japan, based on the deep friendship between the Moroccan Royal Family and the Japanese Imperial Family, he stressed.

For his part, Shinozuka expressed his deep gratitude to His Majesty King Mohammed VI, who kindly awarded him this distinction. He also praised the leadership of the Sovereign in promoting peace and stability, especially in Africa and the Middle East.

Shinozuka also highlighted the Kingdom's active role in several areas, including clean energy, the fight against climate change and the fight against terrorism.

At the initiative of the Embassy of the Kingdom in the Dominican Republic, the only African diplomatic mission in this country, a meeting was held Wednesday at the Caribbean University (Unicaribe).

The event was initiated in partnership with the academic institution and the Association of Friends of Morocco in the Dominican Republic "ADAMAR".

According to a statement from the Moroccan Embassy, this celebration of Africa Day, which is held for the first time in this Caribbean country, was attended by an array of government officials, MPs, diplomats, academics, as well as representatives of civil society, media, and the Moroccan community.

The program included the exhibition of a compilation of unpublished documentary photographs on Morocco and Africa, and the screening of the documentary "Morocco and the liberation movements in Africa", by director Hassan El Bahrouti.

The event was also marked by a conference led by the former Dominican Defense Minister José Miguel Soto Jiménez, the former Central Electoral Council President Julio César Castaños Guzmán, the president of Adamar and political scientist, Luis González, Dominican journalist Miguel Guerrero, as well as the diplomat and journalist Nickauly de La Mota, as moderator.

In addition, the Rector of Unicaribe, José Alejandro Aybar Martin, and the various panelists have both praised the initiative to celebrate Africa Day and welcomed the active role of Morocco on the continent, while calling for the strengthening of ties between the Dominican Republic, the region of Latin and Central America and the Caribbean, and Africa.

Speaking on this occasion, the Moroccan ambassador to the Dominican Republic, Hichame Dahane, highlighted the significance and scope of the celebration of Africa Day, as well as the Kingdom's African policy, in accordance with the enlightened and wise vision of HM King Mohammed VI, as well as the main actions and initiatives of Morocco for the emergence of a united, integrated, stable and prosperous Africa.

This celebration was complemented by a photo exhibition and the screening of a film showcasing the momentum experienced by Kazakhstan in various fields. The event was an opportunity to highlight the dynamism marking the relations of friendship and cooperation between the two countries.

In a speech, Kazakh Ambassador to Morocco, Saulekul Sailaukyzy, pointed out that the Kingdom was among the first countries to recognize the independence of Kazakhstan.

This celebration is an opportunity "to give our trade and economic relations a new impetus to raise them to the level of our privileged political relations," she added.

The opening to foreign markets and the economic potential of Morocco and Kazakhstan offer new opportunities for efficient cooperation, she pointed out.

The diplomat also noted that the holding this year of the 4th session of the Morocco-Kazakhstan political consultations will give a new impetus to the relations of partnership and cooperation between the two countries by consolidating them in accordance with the political agenda.

For his part, Abdelkader El Ansari, Asia and Oceania Director at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, African Cooperation and Moroccans Abroad, said that this celebration "testifies to how old our bilateral relations are."

"Morocco was among the first countries to recognize and establish diplomatic relations with Kazakhstan in 1972. Since then, our relations have always been marked by mutual respect, friendship and solidarity," he noted.

Morocco sees Kazakhstan as an important partner in the Central Asian region, said, for his part, Abdeljalil Saubry, Morocco's first Ambassador to Kazakhstan, highlighting several areas are of particular importance to both countries including agriculture, renewable energy, tourism and trade, among others.

Diplomatic relations between the Kingdom of Morocco and the Republic of Kazakhstan were established in 1992. An embassy of Kazakhstan in Morocco was opened on December 30, 2020.

Any attentive observer of the artificial dispute over the Moroccan Sahara would agree that this dispute is costly to the development and integration process of the Maghreb and that it can only be resolved through an autonomy plan under Moroccan sovereignty.

In this spirit, several prominent figures from the Maghreb region (intellectuals, political actors, and associations ...) have recently met in Laayoune to launch a civil body to support the autonomy plan, known as the Coordination for the implementation of the autonomy plan in the Sahara.

The creation of this structure, chaired by former Tunisian FM Ahmed Ounaies, was announced on the occasion of the first Maghreb Forum in support of the autonomy plan in the Sahara under Moroccan sovereignty.

On this occasion, Ounaies described Morocco's sovereignty over its Sahara as "a cornerstone" for the establishment of a stable, balanced and effective Maghreb Union, noting that the autonomy plan is the serious and credible solution that guarantees the stability of the region and its progress.

The autonomy plan proposed by Morocco in 2007 has received great international support, and we can only engage in the same approach because it is our duty to support the sovereignty of Morocco to preserve the sovereignty and territorial integrity of our countries, said Algerian journalist Walid Kabir, President of the Maghreb Association for Peace, Cooperation and Development, and organizer of the Forum.

The autonomy plan, he added, will be a model for decentralization and local governance in the framework of national states.

Participants in the Forum stressed that the artificial dispute over the Moroccan Sahara is one of the major obstacles to the establishment of a strong and united Maghreb Union, praising the accomplishments of the Kingdom in terms of achieving advanced regionalization.

They also noted that the current challenges on the regional and international levels require solidarity and cooperation between the countries of the region.

The coordination, whose board is made up of 15 members representing the five countries of the region (Tunisia, Libya, Algeria, Mauritania and Morocco), aims to support the autonomy plan under the full sovereignty of the Kingdom.

Besides bringing together all North Africans who believe in a true Maghreb Union of cooperation and development, the new framework will combat separatist ideas that destroy nations and encourage the building of a competitive Maghreb economy.

This event was attended by figures from the Maghreb region and Africa, as well as representatives of diplomatic missions accredited in Laâyoune and local civil society stakeholders.

Speaking at a press briefing following the weekly Cabinet meeting, Lekjaa provided data on the status of these products in light of the economic situation marked by the health crisis.

He also spoke of the measures taken to protect the purchasing power of citizens, confirming the availability of cereals, energy products and imported commodities.

Recalling that price hikes are spurred by increased transportation costs of goods, Lekjaa said that dealing with this crisis requires continuous efforts to ensure the availability of all products for all citizens.

Controlling the inflation rate and keeping it at check requires tax and monetary policies based on daily monitoring, he said. The inflation rate reached 4.1% by the end of April, while inflation rates in the countries of the region range between 6.5% and 7% against 6.1% in Europe, Lekjaa concluded.