His Majesty the King Addresses a Speech to the Nation on the Occasion of the Glorious Feast of the Throne.

His Majesty King Mohammed VI, may God assist Him, addressed a speech to the nation on Saturday evening on the occasion of the glorious Feast of the Throne, marking the 23rd anniversary of His Majesty's accession to the throne of His glorious ancestors.

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.

My dear people,

The celebration of the glorious Feast of the Throne, which coincides with the advent of the new Hegirian year, provides an annual opportunity to renew the bonds of mutual allegiance between the Throne and the People. We praise Almighty God for blessing us with this close bond, which has stood the test of time throughout history, in times of hardship and prosperity. This year's celebration of this cherished anniversary for all Moroccans comes in volatile circumstances, marked by the ongoing repercussions of COVID-19 and the impact of international fluctuations on the national and global economy. We will not be able to overcome domestic and external challenges unless we combine the spirit of initiative with the foundations of resilience to consolidate social stability, promote the status of women and the family, and enhance the capabilities of the national economy.

My dear people,

Building the Morocco of progress and dignity that we aspire to will only be achieved through the participation of all Moroccans—men and women alike—in the development process. Therefore, we emphasize once again the full participation of Moroccan women in all fields. Since our accession to the Throne, we have been keen to promote the status of women, open up horizons of advancement for them, and grant them the place they deserve. Among the most important reforms we have undertaken are the enactment of the Family Code (Moudawana) and the adoption of the 2011 Constitution, which enshrines equality between women and men in rights and duties, and stipulates the principle of parity as a goal the State seeks to achieve. The issue here is not about granting women unearned privileges, but rather about giving them their legal and legitimate rights. In today's Morocco, women cannot be deprived of their rights. Here, we call for the activation of constitutional institutions concerned with family and women's rights, and for updating national mechanisms and legislation to advance their status. While the Family Code marked a leap forward, it has become insufficient, as experience has shown that several obstacles stand in the way of completing this journey and prevent the achievement of its objectives. Among these is its incorrect application due to various sociological reasons, particularly since a category of officials and judicial officers still believe that this code is exclusively for women. The reality is that the Family Code is neither a code for men nor is it exclusive to women; rather, it is a code for the entire family. The Code is based on balance, as it gives women their rights, gives men their rights, and takes into account the best interests of the children. Therefore, we stress the need for everyone to commit to the correct and full implementation of its legal provisions. It is also necessary to overcome the shortcomings and negatives revealed by experience, and to review certain provisions that have deviated from their objectives, should the need arise. As Commander of the Faithful, and as I stated in the speech presenting the Code before Parliament, I will not make unlawful what God has made lawful, nor will I make lawful what God has made unlawful, especially in matters governed by explicit Quranic texts. Hence, we are keen to ensure that this is done within the framework of the objectives of Islamic Sharia and the specificities of Moroccan society, while adopting moderation, open-minded ijtihad (independent reasoning), consultation, dialogue, and involving all concerned institutions and actors. In the same vein, we call for the expansion of family courts to all regions, equipping them with qualified human resources and the material means necessary to perform their duties properly. Everyone must understand that empowering women with their rights does not mean it will be at the expense of men, nor does it mean it will be at the expense of women. For Morocco's progress remains contingent upon the status of women and their active participation in various fields of development.

My dear people,

As you know, the situation in recent years has been marked by the impact of the COVID-19 crisis on various economic and social fields. Many people, especially from vulnerable and poor groups, have been severely affected economically and socially. However, thanks to Almighty God, we managed to manage this difficult phase in a unique way, thanks to the combined efforts of citizens and authorities. The State made colossal efforts and bore heavy costs to face the impact of this pandemic, providing direct financial assistance to needy families and supporting affected sectors. It also worked to ensure the uninterrupted and sufficient supply of basic commodities in all regions of the country. Morocco was, by everyone's account, one of the first countries to procure the vaccine and provide it free of charge to all citizens and foreign residents in Morocco, despite its exorbitant cost. Under the same circumstances, we began rolling out the major project for universalizing social protection and reforming the national health system. We launched a set of projects aimed at achieving health sovereignty and ensuring the safety and security of citizens. Thus, in less than a year, the number of enrollees in the compulsory health insurance system exceeded six million non-salaried workers and their families. Compulsory health coverage will be completed by the end of this year through its generalization to beneficiaries of the "RAMED" system. We are also determined, with God's help and guidance, to roll out the generalization of family allowances gradually, starting from the end of 2023, in accordance with its designated program. About seven million children, especially from vulnerable and poor families, and three million families without children of school age, will benefit from this national solidarity project. To this end, we call for expediting the deployment of the Unified Social Register as the primary mechanism for granting support and ensuring its efficiency.

My dear people,

Thanks to the combined efforts of the State and the public and private sectors, the national economy has managed to withstand crises and fluctuations, achieving positive results across various productive sectors. However, the recovery phase did not last long due to current global circumstances. These external factors, coupled with the results of a modest agricultural season, led to an increase in the prices of certain basic commodities—a problem experienced by all countries. Aware of the impact of these conditions on the living standards of many citizens, we launched a national program to mitigate the effects of drought on farmers and rural populations. We also directed the government to allocate significant funds to subsidize the prices of certain basic commodities and ensure their availability in markets. This is nothing too much for the Moroccan people. Within this framework, the budget of the Compensation Fund was doubled to exceed 32 billion dirhams for the year 2022. Alongside this, we call for enhancing national solidarity mechanisms and resolutely and responsibly combating speculation and price manipulation. Despite the fluctuations witnessed by the international situation, we must remain optimistic and focus on our strengths. We must work to seize the opportunities and prospects opened up by these transformations, particularly in terms of attracting investments, boosting exports, and promoting national products. Here, we call on the government, as well as political and economic circles, to work on facilitating the attraction of foreign investments that choose our country under these global circumstances, and to remove obstacles facing them. For the most dangerous threat to the country's development and the promotion of investment is intentional obstruction, driven by individuals seeking personal gain and serving private interests. This must be fought.

My dear people,

Our commitment to promoting economic and social conditions is matched only by our continuous keenness to address Morocco's priorities at both the regional and international levels. In this context, I stress once again that the borders separating the two fraternal peoples, the Moroccan and the Algerian, will never be borders that block communication and understanding between them. Rather, we want them to be bridges carrying the future of Morocco and Algeria in their hands, and setting an example for other Maghreb peoples. On this occasion, I urge Moroccans to continue displaying the values of brotherhood, solidarity, and good neighborliness that bind us to our Algerian brothers, whom we assure that they will always find Morocco and Moroccans by their side under all circumstances and conditions. As for the allegations accusing Moroccans of insulting Algeria and Algerians, those who do so in an irresponsible manner want to kindle the fire of discord between the two fraternal peoples. What is being said about Moroccan-Algerian relations is unreasonable and distressing. We have not allowed and will never allow anyone to offend our brothers and neighbors. As for the Moroccan people, we are keen to get out of this situation and to strengthen rapprochement, communication, and understanding between the two peoples. We look forward to working with the Algerian presidency so that Morocco and Algeria may join hands to establish normal relations between two fraternal peoples bound by historical, human ties and a shared destiny.

My dear people,

The history of Morocco is full of lessons and achievements, confirming that we always overcome crises thanks to the enduring bond between the Throne and the People, and thanks to the sacrifices of free Moroccans. Today, I can only express to you, my dear people, my thanks and appreciation for what you have demonstrated in all circumstances and conditions: love for your country, keenness on your national and territorial unity, and commitment to defending your symbols and sacred values. I take this glorious opportunity to send a tribute of praise and appreciation to all components of our Royal Armed Forces, the Royal Gendarmerie, National Security, Auxiliary Forces, and Civil Protection, for their constant mobilization under our leadership to defend the homeland's unity, security, and stability. We also recall with utmost reverence the pure souls of Morocco's righteous martyrs, foremost among whom are our revered grandfather and father, Their Majesties King Mohammed V and King Hassan II—may God rest their souls. The best way to conclude is with the Quranic verse: "Indeed, with hardship [will be] ease. Indeed, with hardship [will be] ease. So when you have finished [your duties], then stand up [for worship]. And to your Lord direct [your] longing." (Surah Ash-Sharh, Verses 6-8).May the peace, mercy, and blessings of God be upon you."