Represented by a large number of local and regional elected representatives, as well as representatives of the General Directorate of Territorial Collectivities (DGCT), the Ministry of National Territorial Planning, Town Planning, Housing and Politics of the city and the Ministry of Youth, Culture and Communication, the Moroccan delegation actively contributed to the enrichment of the debates during this continental event, which was held under the theme “The contribution of intermediary cities to the United Nations Agenda 2030 and the African Union Agenda 2063. »
Covering an area of 192m2, the Morocco Pavilion was very busy with visitors, seduced by the exhibitions and side-events, as well as many local African elected officials who came to join their Moroccan counterparts, with a view to strengthen the decentralized cooperation advocated by the Kingdom.
To this end, many agreements have been signed at the Morocco Pavilion with local authorities and organizations from many African countries, including Uganda, Cameroon, Togo, Zambia, Burundi and Niger.
Equipped with giant screens, the Morocco Pavilion was a permanent exhibition of Morocco’s main achievements in terms of city policy, urban planning and decentralization. Several side-events were organized there, relating in particular to successful Moroccan experiences, particularly in terms of waste management or green cities in Morocco, like the city of Benguerir.
In addition to its decoration evoking its authenticity and reflecting its modernity, the Morocco Pavilion included a stand entirely dedicated to the celebration of the city of Rabat, African capital of culture, set up by UCLG-Africa, and where visitors were able to contemplate the richness of the cultural and heritage history of the capital of the Kingdom, as well as its present oriented towards the promotion of culture and the preservation of heritage.
One of the highlights of the Moroccan delegation’s activities at Africities 9 took place on Thursday when the Summit vibrated to national rhythms and colors during a cultural parade organized by UCLG-Africa and the Ministry of Culture, highlighting highlight the richness and diversity of African culture, as well as the cultural ties linking Morocco to the nations of Africa.
Thus, a small carnival crisscrossed the various departments of the international exhibition hall, against a backdrop of Gnawa music, a symbol of Morocco’s African depth. A performance that did not leave visitors and delegates unmoved, many of whom joined the procession dancing to the rhythms and songs of Gnawa and patriotic Morocco.
On the same day, Morocco was honored during this summit which dedicated to the Kingdom one of the seven thematic days, focused on Moroccan policy in the field of urban planning. On this occasion, the Moroccan experience in this area was presented, explained and applauded through activities, sessions and panels which saw the participation of government officials and representatives of international and continental institutions related to the field of town planning.
Among the seven priority themes having been the subject of dedicated Days, Urban Planning Day was the only day of the Summit to be dedicated to a country.
On the occasion of this day, an African network of urban agencies and similar institutions was launched, at the initiative of Morocco, which aims to structure and coordinate the sharing of knowledge, experiences and good practices in the design of cities.
The result of a partnership between the Federation of Moroccan Urban Agencies “MAJAL” and the Ministry of National Territorial Development, Urban Planning, Housing and Urban Policy, this initiative has been widely membership of bodies responsible for urban planning in more than ten African countries.
The Summit was also an opportunity to present some key achievements of the Kingdom of Morocco, in connection with the field of urban planning and decentralized cooperation.
To this end, the Wali Director General of Local Authorities at the Ministry of the Interior, Khalid Safir, presented a presentation on the African Support Fund for International Decentralized Cooperation of Local Authorities (FACDI), noting that this instrument financed 26 projects since its creation in 2020.
The Fund, which was set up the day after the 8th edition of the Africities Summit held in 2018 in Marrakech, aims to support decentralized cooperation between Moroccan local authorities and those of sister countries, noted Mr. Safir during a panel organized within the framework of the Africities 2022 Summit, which is being held in the Kenyan city of Kisumu from May 17 to 21.
Other panels focused on the Municipal Performance Improvement Support Program (PAPC), launched by the Ministry of the Interior in partnership with the World Bank and the French Development Agency (AFD). ), as well as on the progress of Moroccan local authorities in terms of digital transformation.
Host country of the 8th edition of Afticities, Morocco has considerably helped to make the 9th edition of this summit a success, which explains its presence with one of the most important delegations.
As part of the high guidelines of King Mohammed VI, who continues to advocate South-South cooperation, the distinguished participation of the Moroccan delegation at this summit has once again confirmed the Kingdom’s anchoring in its African depths. and its firm will to place the development of cooperation with the countries of the continent at the top of its policy priorities. The number of agreements and partnerships signed during this summit is a perfect illustration of this.
With MAP