The city of Tangier hosted, on Friday, December 20, the second edition of the National Conference on Advanced Regionalization, organized under the High Patronage of His Majesty King Mohammed VI.
This large-scale event was organized under the theme “Advanced regionalization: between the challenges of today and tomorrow”, highlighting the major issues facing the regions and the solutions to overcome them.
A review after nine years of regionalization
During the opening, Mbarka Bouaida, president of the Association of Regions of Morocco, recalled the fundamental objectives of these meetings: evaluate the results of the nine years of implementation of advanced regionalization, launched at the end of 2015, and draw the conclusions necessary lessons, five years after the first edition held in Agadir in 2019.
The ambition is to measure what has been accomplished, identify shortcomings and respond to the challenges mentioned in the royal message, which defined the main strategic directions for a clear and ambitious roadmap.
Among the main issues identified are:
- Administrative deconcentration : Accelerating the implementation of the deconcentration charter is a priority. This involves better coordinating the actions of the State through its ministerial departments to strengthen the effectiveness of public policies.
- Clarification of regional skills : Since 2019, the need to better define and distribute specific and shared skills between the regions and the central State remains crucial for more fluid governance.
- Attractiveness and investment : Regions must assert themselves as centers of economic attractiveness, capable of effectively managing investments, stimulating economic activity and creating jobs.
- Regional funding : The question of financing is central to reducing interregional disparities and ensuring harmonious territorial development. Regions must explore new sources of funding, notably through public-private partnerships and external contributions.
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An ambitious and inclusive roadmap
Discussions also focused on cross-cutting issues such as climate change, water stress, mobility, and digital transformation. These themes require innovative solutions and coordination between the different actors.
Four major agreements were signed on this occasion:
- A framework agreement to accelerate the implementation of the deconcentration charter and review regional funding.
- An agreement for the water stress management with a regional contribution exceeding 10 billion dirhams over ten years.
- An agreement for the waste management with a budget of 27 billion dirhams, including 2.7 billion provided by the regions.
- An agreement for the development of sustainable mobility with overall funding of 10 billion dirhams, including more than 3 billion covered by the regions.
A turning point for the future of the regions
These National Conferences mark a decisive step in advanced regionalization. By combining results, concrete financial commitments and strategic vision, they enable the regions to be part of a dynamic of sustainable and inclusive development.
The event also highlighted the central role of regions as catalysts for the convergence of public policies and digital transformation, essential for improving public services and effectively meeting the expectations of Moroccan citizens.
Rachid Mahmoudi
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