His Majesty King Mohammed VI, may God assist Him, addressed, on Sunday evening, a Royal Speech to His faithful people on the occasion of the 47th anniversary of the glorious Green March.
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.
Dear Citizens,
The commemoration of the forty-seventh anniversary of the Green March comes at a crucial stage in the process of consolidating the Moroccanness of the Sahara. If this eternal epic made it possible to liberate the land, the continuous marches that We lead aim to honor the Moroccan citizen, especially in these regions that are dear to us. Hence, our approach in defending the Moroccanness of the Sahara is based on an integrated vision that combines political and diplomatic action with the promotion of the economic, social, and human development of the region. It is within this framework that the specific development program for the Southern Provinces falls, which was signed under Our chairmanship in Laayoune in November 2015 and in Dakhla in February 2016.
Dear Citizens,
This is an integrated development program, with an allocated budget exceeding 77 billion dirhams, aimed at launching a genuine economic and social dynamic, creating job and investment opportunities, and providing the region with the necessary infrastructure and facilities. It is an ambitious program that responds to the concerns and aspirations of the inhabitants of the Southern Provinces; and local and elected authorities bear the responsibility of overseeing the implementation of its projects. Today, approximately seven years after its launch, We value the positive results that have been achieved, as the commitment rate has reached about 80 percent of the total budget allocated to it. The Tiznit-Dakhla expressway has been completed and is in its final stages, the region has been connected to the national electricity grid, and communication networks have been strengthened and expanded. The planned solar and wind power plants have also been completed. Construction work on the major Dakhla-Atlantic port will begin soon, following the completion of various studies and administrative procedures. On the economic front, which is the main engine of development, a series of projects have been carried out in the field of upgrading and processing fisheries products, providing thousands of jobs for the region's youth. In the agricultural sector, over six thousand hectares have been developed in Dakhla and Boujdour and placed at the disposal of young farmers from the region. Most of the planned projects in the phosphate, water, and sanitation sectors are experiencing an advanced rate of completion. The social and cultural field has witnessed several achievements in health, education, and training, alongside support for self-employment initiatives and the promotion of the Hassani language and culture, as a major component of the unified national identity. In this context, marked by a spirit of national responsibility, We call on the private sector to continue promoting productive investment in these provinces, particularly in projects of a social nature. We also call for opening new horizons for the development dynamic experienced by our Southern Provinces, especially in promising sectors, the blue economy, and renewable energies.
Dear Citizens,
The Moroccan Sahara has historically constituted a human, spiritual, civilizational, and economic link between Morocco and its African depth. Through the development work We are undertaking, We seek to consolidate this historical role and make it more open to the future. This approach is consistent with the nature of the distinguished relations uniting Morocco with the countries of our African continent, which We are keen to strengthen, to serve the common interests of our brotherly peoples. In this framework, We took the initiative, with Our Brother, His Excellency Mr. Muhammadu Buhari, President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, to launch the Nigeria-Morocco Gas Pipeline project. We are pleased today to note the progress this major project is making, in accordance with the contractual framework signed in December 2016. The Memorandum of Understanding recently signed in Rabat with the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), and in Nouakchott with Mauritania and Senegal, constitutes an essential building block in the project's implementation process. This signing reflects the commitment of the concerned countries to contribute to the realization of this strategic project and their political will to make it a success. Considering the special importance We attach to the partnership with the countries of the western part of the continent, We consider the Nigeria-Morocco Gas Pipeline to be more than a bilateral project between two brotherly countries. Rather, We want it to be a strategic project for the benefit of the entire West African region, whose population exceeds 440 million people. This is due to the opportunities and guarantees it provides in the areas of energy security and economic, industrial, and social development for the fifteen member states of ECOWAS, as well as Mauritania and Morocco. It is a project for peace, African economic integration, and co-development: a project for the present and for future generations. Given the continental dimension of the Nigeria-Morocco Gas Pipeline, We also consider it a structuring project connecting Africa and Europe. We also praise the support of regional and international financial institutions that have expressed their desire to effectively contribute to its implementation. We would like to affirm here Morocco's keenness to continue working closely with our brothers in Nigeria, and with all partners, in all transparency and responsibility, to implement it as soon as possible. We also renew our openness to all beneficial forms of partnership in order to realize this major African project.
Dear Citizens,
Loyalty to the spirit of the Green March and its eternal oath requires continued mobilization and vigilance to defend the unity of the homeland, and to strengthen its progress and its connection to its African depth. This is an opportunity to pray for the soul of its initiator, Our revered Father, His Majesty King Hassan II, may God rest his soul in peace, and for the souls of all the righteous martyrs of the homeland. We also extend Our tribute and appreciation to the Royal Armed Forces, the National Security, the Royal Gendarmerie, the Territorial Administration, the Auxiliary Forces, and the Civil Protection, for their dedication, under Our leadership, in defending the unity, security, and stability of the homeland.
Wassalamu alaikum warahmatullah wabarakatuh (Peace, mercy, and blessings of God be upon you)." November 06, 2022
His Majesty King Mohammed VI stated that Morocco is entering a new phase focused on strengthening national sovereignty, supporting economic recovery, and implementing the New Development Model. He also called on the government and Parliament to fully assume their responsibilities.
The United Nations praised His Majesty King Mohammed VI’s forward-looking vision for future generations, highlighting the importance of collective action to build a human-centered and sustainable development model. It also noted that this vision has become even more relevant in light of the challenges exposed by the Covid-19 pandemic, particularly social inequalities and the spread of misinformation.
The Council of the League of Arab States praised the efforts of His Majesty King Mohammed VI, Chairman of the Al-Quds Committee, to protect Al-Quds Al-Sharif and support the resilience of the Palestinian people. It also highlighted the fieldwork of the Bayt Mal Al-Quds Agency in preserving the city’s Arab and Islamic identity.
