His Majesty the King Addresses a Royal Speech on the Occasion of the Opening of the First Session of the Second Legislative Year of the Eleventh Legislature.

His Majesty King Mohammed VI, may God assist Him, accompanied by Crown Prince His Royal Highness Prince Moulay El Hassan, addressed, on Friday, a Royal Speech to the members of Parliament on the occasion of the opening of the first session of the second legislative year of the eleventh legislature:

Here follows the full text of the Royal Speech:

"Praise be to God, and peace and blessings be upon the Prophet, His kith and kin.

Honorable Ladies and Gentlemen, Members of Parliament,

The opening of Parliament is not merely a constitutional occasion to renew the meeting with the representatives of the Nation, but we consider it an important annual rendezvous to raise the Nation's major issues, especially those of top priority. We have decided to focus today on two important topics:

• The first relates to the water problem and the urgent and future challenges it poses.

• The second concerns achieving a qualitative leap in the promotion of investment.

Ladies and Gentlemen,

God Almighty says: "And We made from water every living thing." True are the words of God. Water is the source of life, an essential element in the development process, and necessary for all projects and productive sectors. Hence, the issue of managing water resources presents itself with urgency, especially since Morocco is going through a difficult drought phase, the most severe in over three decades. We pray to God Almighty to bless our country with beneficial rain. To address this situation, We took the initiative, since last February, to adopt a set of proactive measures within the framework of the plan to combat the effects of drought, aimed at providing drinking water, assisting farmers, and preserving livestock. Aware of the structural nature of this phenomenon in our country, We have constantly given full attention to the water problem in all its aspects. We have devoted several working sessions to this issue, culminating in the development of the 2020-2027 National Priority Program for Water. Since Our accession to the Throne, We have also been keen to continue building dams, having completed more than 50 dams, including large and medium ones, in addition to 20 dams currently under construction. Regardless of the volume of rainfall in the coming years, We are determined to accelerate the completion of the projects included in this program across all regions and areas of the Kingdom. We mention in particular the completion of the construction of programmed dams, inter-basin water transfer networks, and seawater desalination plants, in addition to strengthening the orientation aimed at economizing water use, especially in irrigation.

Ladies and Gentlemen,

The problem of drought and water scarcity is not limited to Morocco alone; rather, it has become a global phenomenon that is worsening due to climate change. Moreover, the current state of water resources challenges us all—government, institutions, and citizens—and requires us to demonstrate frankness and responsibility in dealing with it, and to address the weaknesses it suffers from. Morocco is now experiencing a situation of structural water stress. And not all problems can be solved merely by building the planned water facilities, despite their necessity and utmost importance. Therefore, We call for taking the water issue, in all its dimensions, with the necessary seriousness, particularly by putting an end to all forms of waste, and the random and irresponsible exploitation of this vital resource. Furthermore, the water problem should not be a subject of political outbidding, or a pretext to fuel social tensions. As Moroccans, we are all called upon to redouble our efforts for a responsible and rational use of water. This requires bringing about a real change in our behavior towards water. Public administrations and services must lead by example in this field. We must also work towards optimal demand management, in parallel with what is being achieved in the field of mobilizing water resources. In the medium term, we must consolidate our proactive water policy and make up for the delay this sector is experiencing. The duty of responsibility today requires adopting sustainable and integrated choices, and demonstrating a spirit of solidarity and effectiveness, within the framework of the new National Water Plan, which We call to accelerate its implementation. We want to focus here on some main orientations:

• First: The need to launch more ambitious programs and initiatives, and to invest in innovations and modern technologies in the field of water conservation and the reuse of wastewater.

• Second: Giving special attention to rationalizing the exploitation of groundwater and preserving water tables, by combatting the phenomenon of illegal pumping and unregulated wells.

• Third: Emphasizing that water policy is not merely a sectoral policy, but a common matter concerning many sectors. This requires continuous updating of sectoral strategies in light of the pressure on water resources and their future evolution.

• Fourth: The necessity of taking into account the real cost of water resources at each stage of their mobilization, and the required transparency and awareness of all aspects of this cost.

Ladies and Gentlemen,

The second pillar of this speech concerns the subject of investment, which commands Our utmost attention. Today, We are betting on productive investment as a fundamental lever to revive the national economy and ensure Morocco's integration into promising sectors; because they provide job opportunities for the youth and funding resources for various social and development programs. We expect the National Investment Charter to give a tangible boost to Morocco's attractiveness for private investments, both national and foreign. This requires removing the obstacles that still prevent national investment from achieving a real takeoff at all levels. Regional Investment Centers are required to comprehensively supervise the investment process at all stages and increase their effectiveness and the quality of their services in accompanying and guiding project holders until they are brought to fruition. In return, they should receive the necessary support from all stakeholders, whether at the central or territorial level. At the level of the business climate, the structural reforms We have undertaken have enabled an improvement in Morocco's image and position in this area. However, the results achieved require further work to unleash all national energies and potentials, encourage private initiative, and attract more foreign investments. Here We want to emphasize, once again, the necessity of fully implementing the administrative deconcentration charter, simplifying and digitizing procedures, facilitating access to real estate and green energies, as well as providing financial support to project holders. To strengthen investors' confidence in our country as a destination for productive investment, We call for strengthening the rules of fair competition and activating arbitration and mediation mechanisms to resolve disputes in this area. Since investment is the business of all institutions and the private sector, We emphasize the need for everyone to mobilize and show a spirit of responsibility to promote this vital sector for the country's progress.

The strategic objective remains for the private sector to take the place it deserves in the field of investment, as the real engine of the national economy. Moroccan enterprises, along with their national, regional, and sectoral organizations, are called upon to serve as a lever for investment and entrepreneurship. The national banking and financial sector is also required to support and finance the new generation of investors and entrepreneurs, especially the youth and small and medium-sized enterprises. In this context, We renew the call to give special attention to the investments and initiatives of the members of the Moroccan community abroad. To achieve the desired goals, We have directed the government, in cooperation with the private and banking sectors, to translate each party's commitments into a National Investment Pact. This pact aims to mobilize 550 billion dirhams in investments and create 500,000 jobs between 2022 and 2026.

Ladies and Gentlemen,

The role of the parliamentary institution in the fields of legislation, evaluation, and control is well known to you, in advancing the issues of water and investment, and various matters and concerns that matter to the Nation and the citizens. May God protect you, be up to the heavy national responsibility you bear, especially under the current national circumstances and global fluctuations. The best conclusion is the saying of God Almighty: "And He sent down water from the sky and brought forth thereby fruits as provision for you." True are the words of God. Wassalamu alaikum warahmatullah wabarakatuh (Peace, mercy, and blessings of God be upon you)."