Latest from Maroc
Maroc
5 hours ago
- Politics
- Maroc
AU Hails Morocco's Contribution to Training Ectoral Observers in Africa
The Chairperson of the African Union Commission (AUC), Mahmoud Ali Youssouf, praised the Kingdom of Morocco's sustained efforts in strengthening African capacities in electoral observation and democratic governance. In his semi-annual report on elections in Africa, Ali Youssouf highlighted the growing impact of the electoral observers' training cycle organized in Rabat through a partnership between Morocco and the Department of Political Affairs, Peace and Security of the AU Commission. The report was adopted during the 1,288th meeting of the African Union Peace and Security Council (AU PSC), which welcomed the support provided by African countries in building the capacities of AU electoral observers in the areas of elections and democracy. Notably, it acknowledged the organization of the 4th annual edition of the specialized training for short-term AU electoral observers, held from April 22 to 25, 2025, in Rabat. This 4th training cycle enabled the training of 120 new observers from 52 African countries, bringing the total number of beneficiaries since the launch of the program in June 2022 to over 300, including 175 women. This training cycle, the result of an effective partnership between Morocco and the AU Commission, is part of an ambitious dynamic to consolidate democratic governance in Africa. The report also highlights the importance of the seminar-dialogue on elections and democracy in Africa, held on the sidelines of the training at the Policy Center for the New South, affiliated with Mohammed VI Polytechnic University in Rabat. Moreover, the report underscores the adoption of the Rabat Call to Action, issued following the seminar-dialogue and structured around five key pillars. These include establishing gender quotas within electoral bodies, allocating specific budgets to ensure the safety of women during observation missions, creating intervention units to combat gender-based violence, increasing the involvement of young human rights defenders, and systematically disaggregating electoral data by gender. MAP: 16 July 2025
Maroc
21 hours ago
- Politics
- Maroc
Morocco Participates at 20th African Ministerial Conference on Environment in Nairobi
The 20th African Ministerial Conference on the Environment (AMCEN-20) kicked off on Wednesday at the headquarters of the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) in Nairobi, with Morocco's participation. The Kingdom is represented at the conference, held under the theme 'Four decades of environmental action in Africa: reflecting on the past and imagining the future', through a delegation led by Minister of Energy Transition and Sustainable Development Leila Benali. Morocco's participation in this 20th session reflects its firm commitment to actively contribute to defining and implementing ambitious African environmental policies, in line with the High Guidelines of His Majesty King Mohammed VI in favor of a sustainable future for Africa and for future generations. The session, held until July 18, is a key opportunity to take stock of 40 years of regional environmental cooperation. It offers African environment ministers the opportunity to examine emerging challenges, identify opportunities for continent-wide action, and explore ways of cooperating to bring Africa's priorities to the global stage. In addition, ministers and experts will review progress made in implementing the decisions adopted at the 18th and 19th ordinary and 10th extraordinary sessions of the AMCEN, as well as identify Africa's environmental priorities for the 2025-2027 period. To celebrate the 40th anniversary of the AMCEN, a special high-level session will be held on July 18, with the participation of high-level figures from Africa and worldwide, to examine environmental sustainability on the continent. The special session will also result in the adoption of a declaration on the 40 year achievements of AMCEN and recommendations for meeting Africa's environmental challenges in the future. MAP: 16 July 2025
Maroc
a day ago
- Sport
- Maroc
Hosting 1st World School Golf Championship in Morocco Demonstrates Kingdom's Capacity to Organize Major Events
The hosting of the 1st World School Golf Championship in Morocco confirms the global community's trust in the Kingdom's ability to organize large-scale sporting events, stated the Minister of National Education, Preschool and Sports, Mohamed Saad Berrada, on Tuesday in Rabat. Speaking during the opening ceremony of the first edition of the "ISF World School Golf Championship (WSGC)," being held from July 14 to 21 at the Royal Golf Dar Es Salam in Rabat, under the effective presidency of His Royal Highness Prince Moulay Rachid, he emphasized that this confidence is the result of the implementation of the High Royal Directives and the enlightened vision of His Majesty King Mohammed VI in the field of sports in general and school sports in particular. Organized by the Royal Moroccan Golf Federation (FRMG), the Hassan II Trophy Association, the Ministry of National Education, Preschool and Sports, and the Royal Moroccan School Sports Federation (FRMSS), in partnership with the International School Sport Federation (ISF), this grand sporting event is a new international golf competition reserved for athletes from the school system. Young female and male players from Europe, Africa, Asia, America, and the Middle East - representing 16 countries- are taking part in this event, which is included in the official ISF calendar. In this regard, Berrada expressed, on behalf of the international golf community, "our deep gratitude and sincere thanks to HRH Prince Moulay Rachid, President of the FRMG, for launching this initiative, supporting it with all his energy, and ensuring its realization.' "This championship embodies our shared ambition to use sport as a means to educate our youth in the values of citizenship and openness to the world," he added, welcoming in this context the decision to host future editions of the championship in Morocco in 2026 and 2028. This event is part of the World School Championships organized by the International School Sport Federation (ISF) and confirms Morocco's continued commitment to developing school sports and youth at the global level. MAP: 15 July 2025
Maroc
2 days ago
- Business
- Maroc
Tax Revenues to Increase by MAD 25.1 Bln by End of June 2025
Morocco's tax revenues increased by MAD 25.1 billion by the end of June 2025, a 16.6% rise compared to the same period in 2024, Minister Delegate for the Budget Fouzi Lekjaa announced on Monday before the House of Representatives. Responding to a question on 'evaluating the effects of tax reform measures on public finances,' Lekjaa stated that corporate tax (IS) revenues reached MAD 13.1 billion, while personal income tax (IR) and value added tax (VAT) revenues rose by 6.7% and 3.1%, respectively. The minister attributed the impact of the tax reform to a broader tax base and stronger efforts to combat fraud and tax evasion. He stressed that the aim is to create a fairer and less burdensome tax system for all citizens, noting that such reforms must be implemented progressively. Lekjaa added that the government expects to close 2025 with a budget deficit of around 3.5% and a debt to GDP ratio below 67% with the goal of reducing the deficit to 3% and the debt ratio to below 66%, "to ensure the sustainability of public finances and avoid compromising future generations". He emphasized that the tax reform, described as one of the most significant changes in Morocco's public finance sector in recent decades, had already raised an additional MAD 102 billion in tax revenue by the end of 2024. These funds, he noted, have helped support social reforms, wage increases, and other socially focused initiatives. MAP: 15 July 2025
Maroc
2 days ago
- Business
- Maroc
Morocco, Jordan Discuss Closer Parliamentary Cooperation
Mohamed Sabbari, First Deputy-Speaker of Morocco's House of Representatives, met on Monday in Rabat with a delegation from the Jordanian House of Representatives, led by Nimer Abdul Hamid Abdullah Al-Fuqaha Al-Abbad, Chairman of the Finance Committee. The visit forms part of a cooperation program between the Jordanian Parliament and the Westminster Foundation for Democracy, aimed at strengthening parliamentary practices, particularly in financial oversight. Sabbari emphasized the strong ties between Morocco and Jordan, under the leadership of HM King Mohammed VI and HM King Abdullah II, and reiterated Morocco's commitment to enhancing bilateral cooperation at the legislative level, according to a press release from the Moroccan Parliament. He underscored the importance of deepening exchanges between parliamentary committees and reinforcing the work of the Morocco-Jordan Parliamentary Friendship Group. He also praised Jordan's consistent support for Morocco's territorial integrity and the autonomy plan proposed by Rabat to resolve the dispute over the Moroccan Sahara. For his part, Al-Fuqaha said the visit offers an opportunity to learn from Morocco's experience in parliamentary financial oversight and voiced Jordan's interest in fostering closer institutional ties between committees and friendship groups from both parliaments. The Jordanian delegation's visit is aimed at expanding collaboration and aligning parliamentary practices in line with the aspirations of both heads of state and the interests of the two nations' peoples, the same source added. MAP: 14 July 2025
