Speaking at the C-24 Pacific Regional Seminar held in Bali from 24 to 26 May, the Senegalese representative stressed that the autonomy initiative presented by Morocco in 2007 is in line with international law, the UN Charter and the resolutions of the General Assembly and the Security Council, which describe it as serious and credible.

In this context, the diplomat praised the efforts made by the UN Secretary-General's Personal Envoy for the Sahara, Staffan de Mistura, to relaunch the political process, with visits to the parties concerned in January, July and September, as well as the informal bilateral consultations held with these parties in New York last March.

He also reiterated his country's support for a final, just, lasting and mutually acceptable political solution through a process conducted under the exclusive auspices of the United Nations, on the basis of successive Security Council resolutions since 2007.

Additionally, he urged all parties to continue, in the same format, the constructive momentum generated by the two Geneva roundtables, demonstrating realism and a spirit of compromise to ensure the successful outcome of the political process initiated by the United Nations.

He also welcomed the "significant" progress made by Morocco in its Sahara, particularly in the promotion of human rights and democracy, as well as the "considerable" efforts made to promote the economic and social development of the region, while ensuring the empowerment of its people.

"These efforts have finally convinced us of the Kingdom of Morocco's determination to resolve this dispute once and for all," he said, noting that in support of this policy, Senegal inaugurated its Consulate General in Dakhla on April 5, 2021.

The Senegalese representative noted that 28 Governments from African, Arab, Latin American and Asian countries had already opened consulates in the Moroccan Sahara to help strengthen economic and social opportunities in the region.

He also welcomed the participation of the Moroccan Sahrawi representatives elected in the Moroccan elections of 8 September 2021 in the important meetings and discussions of the Geneva roundtables, the C24 sessions and the regional seminars of this UN committee, adding that this is a "positive signal" that reinforces Senegal's optimism for a successful outcome to this regional conflict.

The Senegalese diplomat also stressed the importance of respecting the 1991 ceasefire for the stability of the region, and praised Morocco's continued cooperation with MINURSO and its respect for the ceasefire.

Speaking at the meeting, held from May 30 to June 02, the US Under Secretary of State for Arms Control and International Security, Ambassador Bonnie Jenkins, welcomed Morocco's partnership with the United States of America within the PSI framework, a partnership that will be strengthened by further operational actions aimed at African countries in 2024, making Morocco a model in the WMD non-proliferation.

The Jeju meeting will endorse a joint declaration, supported by over 80 countries, including Morocco, calling for enhanced regional and international cooperation in the field of WMD non-proliferation, in the face of the emerging security dynamics that mark the current geopolitical context.

Redouane Houssaini, Director of United Nations and International Organizations at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, African Cooperation and Moroccan Expatriates, led the Moroccan delegation at the meeting, which also included senior officials from the National Defense Administration and the General Directorate of National Security.

The Proliferation Security Initiative (PSI) is a voluntary multilateral cooperation framework launched in 2003, of which Morocco is a founding member, to implement the "Interdiction Principles". It aims to strengthen operational cooperation between the various ministries and national agencies responsible for security, through measures to combat the illicit transport of WMD, their delivery systems and related materials.

During the meeting, Fattouh commended the distinguished bilateral relations between the two countries, hailing the Kingdom of Morocco's stance in support of the Palestinian cause.

He also reviewed the latest developments on the Palestinian scene, pointing out that "the far-right Israeli government is continuing its aggressive and criminal policies and practices, storming the Al-Aqsa mosque and attacking Palestinian towns and camps."

For his part, Meziane praised relations between Morocco and Palestine, emphasizing the Kingdom's firm stance on the Palestinian question and its unwavering support for the Palestinian people in establishing their independent state.

The meeting also provided an opportunity to discuss the invitation extended to the President of the Palestinian National Council by the Speakers of the Houses of Representatives and Councillors, to take part in the "Parliamentary Conference on Interfaith Dialogue: Collaborating for our Common Future", scheduled for June 13-15 in Marrakech.

In this respect, the Moroccan diplomat stressed that the participation of the Palestinian parliamentary delegation is of great interest to all strata of the Moroccan people, under the enlightened leadership of His Majesty King Mohammed VI, Chairman of the Al Quds Committee.

It also falls within the framework of cooperation between the legislative institutions of the two countries in the service of the Palestinian cause, the emancipation of the Palestinian people and the realization of their legitimate right to establish their independent State on the borders of June 4, 1967, he added.

At a press briefing following his talks with Bourita, Kakubo said he was "the bearer of a message from the President of the Republic of Zambia, Hakainde Hichilema, to the Highest Attention of HM the King."

Kakubo also stressed that he had agreed with his Moroccan peer to strengthen bilateral relations in all areas.

The Zambian minister also praised the quality of political and diplomatic relations between the two countries, recalling that Zambia is one of the southern African countries with a consulate general in the Kingdom's southern provinces.

This is a clear indication of Zambia's support for the Moroccan Sahara, he said.

For his part, Bourita noted that the message sent to the Sovereign by the Zambian president "underlines the solidity of bilateral relations and the desire to strengthen them further.”

The relationship between Rabat and Lusaka is based "on mutual respect, solidarity and sincere friendship,” added the Minister, noting that the two countries are working together, under the high directives of HM the King and President Hichilema, to establish a stronger economic partnership.

A joint statement issued following talks between Minister of Foreign Affairs, African Cooperation and Moroccan Expatriates, Nasser Bourita, and Zambia's Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Stanley Kasongo Kakubo, states that the meeting provided an opportunity to review bilateral relations in various sectors, noting that the two ministers held fruitful talks during which they praised the excellent ties of friendship and solidarity between the two countries.

On this occasion, the statement adds, the two parties expressed their satisfaction with the sustained pace of mutually beneficial cooperation between the two countries, and agreed that there was scope for deepening and broadening cooperation in many areas such as agriculture, renewable energies, education, vocational training, tourism and infrastructure.

In this regard, Bourita reiterated Morocco's commitment to supporting the strengthening and development of Zambia's human capacities, through the granting of scholarships and other training programs.

For his part, Kakudo expressed his "deep gratitude" for Morocco's actions to promote a developed education sector and a well-trained workforce in Zambia in particular, and in Africa in general, according to the same source.

Recognizing the significant economic potential offered by Morocco and Zambia, the two parties agreed to further develop and diversify their mutually beneficial sectoral partnership, the statement said, explaining that the aim is also to increase business opportunities, by ensuring an advantageous environment for Moroccan and Zambian investors.

In this context, they agreed to initiate cooperation in the agricultural field, by launching pilot projects in the fields of soil research, irrigation and fertilizers, and in the industrial sector, by encouraging the exchange of knowledge and expertise, with particular emphasis on the development of joint ventures in the manufacture of electric cars, given the complementary nature of the two countries.

The two ministers also agreed to encourage the sectoral ministers of the two countries to strengthen their cooperation.

The two sides reaffirmed the importance of the joint cooperation Commission (JCC) as a key mechanism for strengthening ongoing collaboration between the two countries, and recognized the need for it to be held on a regular basis, said the document, adding that they agreed that the inaugural session of the JCC will be held on a date to be determined through diplomatic channels.

Revenue from value control is the main source of this revenue, accounting for 76%, says ADII in its activity report for 2022.

This drop is explained in particular by the increase in international prices, which has visibly reduced the phenomenon of under-invoicing, notes the same source.

Revenues generated as a result of a posteriori control amounted to 519.9 million dirhams, representing 12% of additional revenues.

Entitled "Morocco's trade policy: assessment and outlook", this joint report reviews the general thrust of Morocco's trade and industrial policies over the past thirty years, which have anchored the Kingdom in international trade flows for goods, services and investment.

According to the authors of the foreword for this 527-page volume, Jesko Hentschel, World Bank country director for Maghreb and Malta, and Karim El Aynaoui, PCNS president, Morocco continues to reap significant benefits from the opening-up of its economy, despite the challenges of a complex geopolitical environment.

These include the growing integration of Moroccan companies into cross-border production networks, and solid performance in exporting and attracting investment, they stressed, noting that Morocco stands out as one of the best-performing and most stable economies in its region.

Noting the colossal progress made by the country in reducing poverty, the authors noted, in line with the recommendations of the New Development Model, that Morocco can do better in terms of convergence of citizens' living standards with their neighbors of the north.

According to El Aynaoui and Hentschel, the central message of the analyses in this volume is that Morocco can do much more to realize its full commercial potential, particularly in terms of strengthening the competitiveness of exporting companies, which requires further reform and investment.

The authors cite the need to develop the skills of the Moroccan workforce, improve the business environment and incentives for private investment, and maintain the competitiveness of the exchange rate, which should be more flexible in the face of endogenous and exogenous shocks.

In a joint statement issued following talks between Minister of Foreign Affairs, African Cooperation and Moroccan Expatriates, Nasser Bourita, and Zambia's Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Stanley Kasongo Kakubo, the two parties "reiterated their determination to contribute to the settlement of disputes in Africa, and welcomed Morocco's constant efforts, under the wise and enlightened leadership of HM King Mohammed VI, to promote the continent's development".

"The two Ministers held fruitful talks during which they praised the excellent level of the ties of friendship and solidarity between the two countries", according to the joint statement, noting that they welcomed "the quality of the feelings of esteem and respect" that characterize relations between the two Heads of State, HM King Mohammed VI and president of the Republic of Zambia, Hakainde Hichilema.

Referring to regional and international issues of common interest, the two sides noted with satisfaction their "identical points of view" on the various questions raised, the same source emphasized.

On this occasion, Bourita praised the "important role" played by the Republic of Zambia within the Southern African Development Community, (SADC), as well as its "exceptional contribution" to the development of this African sub-region.

The Minister also reiterated Morocco's gratitude for the "unconditional support" Zambia has always given to its positions within regional and international organizations.

The two sides reaffirmed their willingness to work towards "sustained political engagement, dialogue and more frequent high-level exchanges, both bilaterally and within international and regional mechanisms, such as the United Nations and the African Union", the statement said.

In this respect, the two Ministers agreed to instruct their permanent representations in New York, Geneva and Addis Ababa to coordinate their actions and decisions on issues of common interest, it added.

In a joint statement issued following talks between Minister of Foreign Affairs, African Cooperation and Moroccan Expatriates, Nasser Bourita, and Zambia's Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Stanley Kasongo Kakubo, Zambia reiterated its "unwavering support for the territorial integrity of the Kingdom of Morocco".

Kakubo also "reaffirmed Zambia's support for the Moroccan autonomy initiative presented by the Kingdom of Morocco in 2007, which is the only credible and realistic solution for resolving this artificial dispute", according to the joint statement.

Zambia also "welcomed the efforts of the United Nations as the exclusive framework for achieving a realistic, practical and lasting solution to the dispute over the Moroccan Sahara", added the same source.

The two ministers also praised the "positive evolution" of ties between the two brotherly countries in recent years, as demonstrated by the opening of the Zambian embassy in Rabat and its consulate general in Laayoune in October 2020.

The memorandum of cooperation was signed by OMPIC director general, Abdelaziz Babqiqi, and CEO of the Saudi Authority, Abdulaziz bin Muhammad Al-Suwailem.

The memorandum aims to cooperate in the field of intellectual property systems, policies and strategies, as well as geographical indications, their registration and development processes.

It is also meant to strengthen cooperation in the field of intellectual property information management and data exchange, in addition to best practices for intellectual property transactions.

The signing of this memorandum follows the meeting held by the two parties on July 20, 2022 in Geneva (Switzerland), on the sidelines of the meetings of the General Assemblies of the Member States of the World Intellectual Property Organization.

The meeting provided an opportunity for both parties to review the latest developments in the field of industrial property in both Morocco and Saudi Arabia, and to discuss projects of common interest, as well as prospects for cooperation between the two institutions.