Rabat, 23/04/2024 (MAP)- Local and regional authorities in Morocco and Mauritania are called upon to play an active role in the Atlantic Initiative launched by HM King Mohammed VI to support Sahel countries in achieving comprehensive and integrated development, highlighted participants during the 2nd Morocco-Mauritanian Forum held on Tuesday in Rabat.
Organized by the Association of Moroccan Regions (ARM) and the Mauritanian Association of Regions (AMR) under the theme « Regionalisation and Integrated and Sustainable Development of Territories in Morocco and Mauritania, » the Forum provided a platform to explore collaborative opportunities between the two countries. The aim is to realize the royal vision of establishing the Afro-Atlantic area as a region of peace, security, and shared prosperity.
Mbarka Bouaida, President of the Association of Moroccan Regions, emphasized that both Morocco and Mauritania are actively pursuing advanced regionalisation processes grounded in democratic and participatory approaches. She highlighted the similarities between the two countries in terms of territorial division, prerogatives, and organic laws.
Bouaida affirmed the effectiveness of Morocco’s regionalisation strategy, citing the success of various regional development programmes that have facilitated the implementation of territorial public policies aligned with the needs and aspirations of the population.
Speaking to MAP news agency, she commended the Royal Initiative, which seeks to transform the Afro-Atlantic zone into a region characterized by peace, security, and shared prosperity. She underscored the crucial role of regional authorities in advancing this vision at the regional level to ensure the integrated and sustainable development of the African States involved.
For her part, Fatimetou Abdelmalik, President of the Mauritanian Association of Regions and President of the Nouakchott region, highlighted the central role played by local authorities in realizing the Royal vision through the elaboration of development projects and strategies.
Recalling the signing, two years ago, of several agreements between the Mauritanian and Moroccan regions in various fields of common interest, she said that this meeting will enable the updating and revision of these agreements in order to promote this model of partnership in the region, deepen decentralized cooperation between the two countries and encourage the exchange of experience and expertise in local development.
