The MoU, signed by Hamid Addou, Chairman and CEO of RAM, and Alioune Badara Fall, CEO of Air Sénégal, is set to strengthen long-term cooperation and foster economic, social, and cultural exchanges between the two sister countries, as outlined in a joint press release.

This collaboration promises benefits for both airlines and, most importantly, their passengers. It aims to enhance the number of available connections and diversify scheduling options and service days.

The MoU also outlines plans for an expanded commercial partnership between the two carriers through a "Codeshare" agreement. This arrangement will allow passengers to purchase tickets through either airline's sales network and travel seamlessly on both Royal Air Maroc and Air Sénégal fleets.

During the announcement, Addou emphasized that this partnership aligns perfectly with the excellent relations between the two countries, stating, "throughout the numerous preparatory meetings, we expressed our strong commitment to establishing a strategic and enduring partnership with Air Sénégal."

In response, Badara Fall stated, "Royal Air Maroc and Air Sénégal are now translating into action the desire of the highest authorities in both countries to strengthen this air bridge, covering both passenger and cargo transportation."

He added, "This South-South agreement binds us to upholding international standards for the mutual benefit of our future Royal Air Maroc/Air Sénégal passengers."

In Morocco's statement during the general debate of the 78th session of the UN General Assembly, Mr. Hilale recalled that the High Royal Instructions stipulate that the proposed amendments of the Family Code emerging from broad participatory consultations are to be submitted to HM the King for approval within a maximum period of six months.

The ambassador also noted that Morocco, in line with the High Royal Guidelines, is engaged in a virtuous all-out development dynamic, through large-scale structuring projects, at the head of which lies the new development model. These socio-economic projects relate to vital sustainable development realms, including energy transition, water, social protection and the fight against natural disasters, the diplomat pointed out.

These projects are part of an integrated vision that is in line with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), Hilale said.

The ambassador also underlined the importance of strengthening the resilience of societies in a world beset by several challenges, while advocating for a global approach based on the principles of equity and of social and territorial justice with a view to achieving the SDGs.

The diplomat also stressed the need to work towards a multilateralism based on cooperation and solidarity with the United Nations at its heart.

Having left the Senegalese coast eight days ago, the would-be migrants were planning to reach the Canary Islands, according to the same source, adding that the rescued people received the necessary care before being handed over to the Royal Gendarmerie for the usual administrative procedures.

Pirogue Carrying 76 Irregular Migrants Intercepted in Dakhla (Military Source)
     
Rabat - Coastal surveillance units intercepted, on Wednesday, 140 km south of Dakhla, a pirogue carrying 76 irregular migrants, including two women, all of Senegalese nationality, a military source said.

Having left the Senegalese coast eight days ago, the would-be migrants were planning to reach the Canary Islands, according to the same source, adding that the rescued people received the necessary care before being handed over to the Royal Gendarmerie for the usual administrative procedures.

The meeting was attended by Fouzi Lekjaa, President of the Royal Moroccan Football Federation (FRMF) and a member of the CAF Executive Committee.

During the meeting, Lekjaa presented the Moroccan bid book, reiterating the Kingdom's commitment, in accordance with the High Instructions of HM King Mohammed VI, to consolidating South-South cooperation with African countries, on the path to achieving their development in various fields.

In this respect, he stressed that Morocco is driven by the desire to contribute to the development of African football, noting that it was on the basis of this conviction that the Kingdom applied to organize the AFCON-2025.

Lekjaa promised that the tournament would be "safe, peaceful, up to international standards and in the best possible conditions, guaranteeing a unique experience for players, fans, visitors and television viewers all over the world."

Morocco, he said, is continuing to modernize its sports infrastructures, which it is making available to Africa, in addition to exchanging its experience with the countries of the continent in organizing competitions of international stature, capable of inspiring the rising generations for a world of solidarity, justice and tolerance.

The FRMF President spoke of the developed infrastructure offered by the Kingdom for the organization of this flagship event for African football, in particular the stadiums which meet CAF requirements and are ready to host the competition, whether in Rabat and Casablanca or in Tangier, Fez, Marrakech and Agadir.

He also highlighted Morocco's extensive experience in organizing major events, not only in the sporting arena, but in all fields, thanks to a network of modern and well-developed infrastructures.

"It's still early to form a judgement. An in-depth analysis is being carried out to measure the impact of the earthquake on various sectors of activity," he said at a press briefing held at the end of BAM's third quarterly Board meeting for 2023.

In his view, the impact on growth, the budget and the balance of payments cannot be assessed now, underlining the importance of taking the necessary hindsight to be able to identify the most suitable financing component.

On this occasion, Jouahri reiterated the Central Bank's commitment to supporting the government's efforts and making its contribution to sustaining the sectors of the economy that will suffer from the effects of the earthquake.

BAM Governor also highlighted the post-earthquake situation, pointing out that the experiences of other countries hit by natural disasters have shown a recovery in economic activity, notably through boosting certain sectors such as construction and public works as well as tourism.

On Tuesday, the MASI ended with a gain of 0.28%.

The award was presented to Minister of Transport and Logistics, Mohamed Abdeljalil, at the closing ceremony of the 2nd Kofi Annan Road Safety Award, held on September 25 and 26 in Marrakech, under the theme "Digital transformations and innovations for safer roads".

A further 6 prizes were awarded to winners in 06 categories.

In the "Innovation, particularly in digitalization" category, the prize was awarded to the Ministry of Transport of Côte d'Ivoire, while the Ministry of Public Works and Transport of the Kingdom of Eswatini won in the "Road safety management" category.

In the "Data management" category, the award went to the Ministry of Livelihood and Transport, in charge of Sustainable Development of the Republic of Benin, while the Ministry of Infrastructure in Rwanda won in the "Safer vehicles" category.

The prize in the "Public Transportation/Modal Shift" category went to the Ministry of Transport and Logistics of the Republic of Ethiopia, while the prize in the "Communication and road safety advocacy" category (Private sector, NGOs, Academia) went to the Ministry of Transport, CEO - SECUROUTE (Cameroon).

The Kofi Annan Road Safety Award recognizes governments, the private sector, civil society, organizations and individuals who have made a significant contribution to road safety in Africa.

Growth in 2023 was so far supported by an improved harvest, a tourism boom, as well as slower inflation and recovering domestic demand, EBRD’s Regional Economic Prospects says, adding that as a result, unemployment decreased slightly in the second quarter of 2023.

The government increased social expenditures in 2022 and 2023 thanks to improved tax collection and non-tax revenues, and the budget deficit is expected to continue to shrink (from 5.1% of GDP in 2022 to 4.9% in 2023), the London-based institution said.

Growth is expected to reach 3.0% in 2024, reverting to pre-pandemic levels in the medium run, with accelerated reform momentum potentially improving the outlook further.  Better weather conditions, easing inflation, the relative pickup in domestic and external demand, and higher investor confidence due to Morocco's removal from the Financial Action Task Force’s (FATF) Grey List are expected to support economic activity, according to the same source.

The Regional Economic Outlook is published at least twice a year, with occasional updates.

It is prepared by the Office of the Chief Economist and the Strategy and Policy Implementation Department and provides a summary of regional economic developments and prospects, as well as the EBRD's growth forecasts for the economies in which it invests.

In Morocco's statement during the general debate of the 78th session of the UN General Assembly, the ambassador and Morocco's permanent representative to the United Nations, Omar Hilale, reaffirmed the Kingdom's strong condemnation of the burning of a copy of the Holy Quran, “an action that offends the feelings of more than a billion Muslims around the world” and which constitutes a violation of human rights.

According to the diplomat, the countries concerned must take the necessary measures to prevent such violations.

The ambassador also expressed Morocco's “deep concern” over the dangers of the continued spread of hate speech, particularly through social networks, noting that these speeches spark divisions within societies and between cultures and countries and promote the emergence of violent extremism.

He recalled, in this regard, the message that His Majesty King Mohammed VI sent to the participants in the 9th World Forum of the United Nations Alliance of Civilizations, held in Fez on 22-23 November, 2022.

In this message, the Sovereign underlines : "Never before has our civilization been so exposed; never before has ‘living together’ come under such a threat, on a daily basis. Rarely has the Other been perceived with such a level of suspicion, or used to stir up fear and foment hatred.”

To combat hate speech, said Mr. Hilale, Morocco presented, to the UN General Assembly last July, a resolution that was adopted unanimously by member states, which condemns the burning of holy books and which considers, for the first time, these acts as violations of international law. This resolution also calls on the UN Secretary General to convene the first global conference on combating hate speech in 2025, he added.

The ambassador also stressed that Morocco, aware of the importance of the role that sport plays in bringing nations closer together and promoting the culture of peace and tolerance, presented a joint bid with Spain and Portugal to host the 2030 FIFA World Cup.

He recalled that for His Majesty King Mohammed VI, "this is an unprecedented candidacy which brings together two continents - Africa and Europe - as well as two civilizations; a candidacy which unites the two shores of the Mediterranean and reflects the ambitions and aspirations of the peoples of the region for further cooperation, interaction and understanding."

In the statement on behalf of Morocco during the general debate of the 78th session of the UN General Assembly, Mr. Hilale recalled that His Majesty King Mohammed VI, President of the Al-Quds Committee of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC), has underlined the importance that Morocco gives to this cause, stressing : "In keeping with the same sense of seriousness and resolve, I reaffirm Morocco's unwavering position regarding the just cause of Palestine and the legitimate right of our Palestinian brothers and sisters to set up their independent State, with East Jerusalem as its capital, and to make sure all peoples in the region enjoy security and stability."

The ambassador reiterated Morocco's rejection of all unilateral measures affecting the legal and historical status of Al-Quds Acharif, as well as the Kingdom's support for the Palestinian National Authority under the leadership of President Mahmoud Abbas and for all its decisions aimed at preserving the legitimate rights of the brotherly Palestinian people to establish their independent State with East Al-Quds as its capital, in accordance with the internationally agreed Two-State Solution based on with the 1967 borders and in compliance with the principles of international legality and related resolutions.

Morocco has also called for avoiding escalation and violence and sparing the Middle East region from further tensions that hamper the relaunch of the peace process, said Mr. Hilale.