Royal Activities
Tuesday 20 February 2018

Achieving Justice Between Groups & Regions Has Always Been at Heart of HM the King's Political, Economic & Social Policy

Achieving Justice Between Groups & Regions Has Always Been at Heart of HM the King's Political, Economic & Social Policy

HM King Mohammed VI said that achieving justice between groups and regions has always been at the heart of his political, economic and social policy, and constitutes the ultimate goal of the initiatives and large-scale projects launched in order to improve the daily life of citizens, in an environment characterized by justice, equity, human dignity and equal opportunity.

In a message addressed to the 3rd parliamentary forum on social justice, which opened Monday in Rabat at the initiative of the House of Advisors under the theme ""The challenges of social and spatial justice and the components of the new development model," the Sovereign said that these values and principles are enshrined in the Constitution with the aim to help bring about a society committed to solidarity, in which all citizens enjoy security, freedom, dignity, equality and social justice – one in which rights and obligations go hand in hand.

In this message, read out by the Sovereign’s advisor, Abdeltif Menouni, HM the King stressed that “however grand ambitions may be, and whatever commitment one may show, the achievement of social and inter-regional justice remains a long, arduous process in all countries."

This process, HM the king went on, “requires regular evaluation of outcomes and continuous updating of long-term objectives, as well as the development of implementation means and mechanisms.”

After commending the theme of this edition, HM the King said that this choice reflects a keen awareness of this topical subject which involves many interrelated issues that call for an innovative, holistic approach. The aim, ultimately, is to find practical, applicable solutions to citizens’ real and pressing problems and to achieve balanced, equitable development for all, in a serene, stable environment.

Recalling the factors hindering Morocco’s development model, the Sovereign said that this model “is no longer able to respond to citizens’ growing demands and needs, nor can it reduce social and inter-regional disparities. It cannot, therefore, help achieve social justice.”

“By calling for a review of that model, we are seeking more than just isolated sectoral reforms, or a reshuffle of certain economic projects and social programs,” HM the king underlined.

“In fact, we are aiming for an integrated vision to shape not only a model for the achievement of the country’s political, economic and social development, but also a system for full-fledged central and local governance, including the legal system underpinning it. This vision should provide strong impetus for the new model, help overcome obstacles hindering its development and address weaknesses and gaps revealed by past experience,” the Sovereign added.

In this regard, HM the king called on all stakeholders to take into account the “societal changes occurring in Morocco and, as a result, place the youth issue at the heart of the desired development model. Concurrently, we should ponder the most effective ways to improve the situation of our young people, who are our real asset and the country’s everlasting wealth.”

Furthermore, HM the King pointed out that the success of any vision hinges upon a change in mentalities. This is the only way to continue promoting the development the country is witnessing in various sectors and at the same time to set the stage for a new culture based on entrepreneurship, self-reliance and accountability.

“With the same resolve, we need to focus on reforming public administration. No meaningful economic and social development is possible if public service institutions do not discharge their mission properly in terms of serving the citizen and promoting investment, especially as regions, local governments, investment centers and other parties are playing a growing role in spurring development,” said the Sovereign.

“At the same time, we should strive harder to engage the public and private sectors in innovative, effective partnerships to promote comprehensive development,” HM the king added.

On this occasion, the Sovereign called on all the stakeholders concerned to contribute to this large-scale national reflection by proposing constructive ideas, freely and objectively. “I expect this collective effort to bring about a profound shift in modes of thinking and in the way we address development issues and manage public affairs. It should signal a real break with practices in which time is wasted, development opportunities are lost, reforms impeded and creativity and innovation stifled,” HM the King said.

“Let us keep in mind that Morocco went through difficult times in the past, as with the structural adjustment programs in the 1980s. Throughout its long history, and building on a sovereign will, our country has always managed to overcome obstacles and rise to the various development challenges facing it, thanks to national mobilization and to the sacrifices and combined efforts made by all Moroccans,” the Sovereign stressed.

HM the King concluded that the achievement of social justice requires that a number of key factors be kept in mind. They need to be addressed in a serious, objective and innovative way, particularly the problem of social and inter-regional disparities and the link with the constraints weighing on the management of tax and social security systems; the issue of universal access to basic social services and facilities, this being one of the pillars of social justice; and the need to have institutions that are imbued with the values of solidarity and social justice and that contribute to solving citizens’ real problems and responding to their concerns and urgent demands.

-MAP-19/02/18