"I would like to commend the actions carried out by Special Olympics International and the presidency of the MENA region to ensure the success of this event", princess Lalla Amina said during a press conference held in preparation for the event.
    This meeting is "a new opportunity to highlight the evolution of the Special Olympics movement in the world and the steady development in the action of the Special Olympics Morocco for mentally retarded athletes," she said.
    Brady Lum, executive director of Special Olympics International, said that "thanks to the generosity of His Majesty King Mohammed VI and the leadership and passion of Her Royal Highness Princess Lalla Amina, we have the opportunity to unite our program leaders, our athlete leaders, and friends of Special Olympics together in one place to discuss the future of our movement."
    He added that the Global Congress will be the pivotal event for Special Olympics leaders which will provide them the motivation, insight and tools to amplify the Special Olympics movement in this new decade.
    The main goal of the Global Congress, he said, “is to review and ensure movement-wide alignment around the 2011-2015 Strategic Plan. But most importantly, movement leaders from throughout the world, will engage in critical assessment and ratification of the strategic plan so that together, we form one global movement that build communities for all of us.”
    He lauded Morocco’s “unique ability to unite and embrace many cultures and religions.”
    Morocco is the first Arab and African country to host this event that will bring together over 500 delegates from more than 180 countries.