Position paper for Morocco
| Committee: | GA First |
| Topic: | Reducing space threats through norms, rules and principles of responsible behaviours |
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| Kingdom of Morocco has dedicated itself to the goal of maintaining global peace through means of collective prevention and removal of threats since 1956. However, as the world has changed and so has the potential options to threaten global peace; The United Nations (UN) has already made headway in limiting the creation of spacefaring weapons and the Kingdom of Morocco is ready and willing to take a leading role in furthering collective means of maintaining the safety of space exploration for all nations. As highlighted by resolution A/RES/76/231 the right to safe space exploration is guaranteed to all nations and must be maintained at all costs; to achieve this goal the Kingdom of Morocco has been a very active participant of the Open-Ended Working Group (OEWG) on reducing space threats through norms, rules and principles of responsible behaviours. This group seeks to prevent miscommunications that spark conflict and have the potential to start a space arms race; to this end the Kingdom of Morocco has worked with the UN Office for Outer Space Affairs (UNOOSA) to provide guidance on the mitigation of space debris that has the potential to disrupt space flight, and cause catastrophic miscommunication. The Kingdom of Morocco also calls for deeper international and regional cooperation to ensure all nations, especially developing countries, benefit from space technologies through the Committee on the Peaceful Uses of Outer Space (COPUOS). The Kingdom of Morocco has also taken a leading role in regional space affairs, launching several satellites that publicly provide Earth Observation data for monitoring borders and managing natural disasters. The Kingdom of Morocco also hosts the African Regional Center for Space Science and Technology Education in French (CRASTE-LF) which offers education and capacity building opportunities for French speaking African nations. The Kingdom of Morocco also works closely with the African Space Agency seeking to further integrate the continent's space flight abilities. Going forward the Kingdom of Morocco wishes to protect the rights of developing countries' access to space exploration and to establish international efforts to mitigate space garbage and prevent miscommunication in outer space. The Kingdom of Morocco believes that in taking these steps the world can avoid a devastating arms race in outer space and all of humanity, no matter the nation, can safely explore the final frontier. | |
| Committee: | GA First |
| Topic: | The illicit trade in small arms and light weapons in all its aspects |
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| According to the United Nations Refugees Agency (UNHCR) over 921,000 people are seeking asylum from the ongoing crisis of the Sahel region, up to 2.9 million people displaced, 62% of these displaced peoples are still within their home nations. The Kingdom of Morocco is deeply disturbed by these numbers and has done and will continue to do everything in its power to stem the tide of devastation ravaging the region. The best way of halting this devastation is preventing the means of devastation from ever reaching the Sahel in the first place. The Kingdom of Morocco has faithfully abided by and aided the Programme of Action (PoA) to Prevent, Combat and Eradicate the Illicit Trade in Small Arms and Light Weapons in All Its Aspects since its creation in 2001. The Kingdom of Morocco will continue to strongly support international efforts through regional systems to combat the growing issue of the illicit trade of small arms and light weapons (SALWs). In this the Kingdom of Morocco strongly suggests that the international body reaffirms and strengthens its commitment to Sustainable Development Goal 16.4 by creating additional indicators for asserting its progress that are inline with PoA implementation. The Kingdom of Morocco also suggests that this body support the SALWs Fellowship Program approved by United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) resolution A/77/71, and affirm the necessity of countries' commitment to providing and supporting the necessary financial allocations - through voluntary contributions and/or UN budget discussions - to ensure the program's regular holding, and enhancing the capabilities of developing countries as desired. The Kingdom of Morocco also will continue to host training simulations within the borders of Morocco and wishes to establish more innovative methods in utilizing regional instruments, mechanisms and targets to support the implementation of the PoA and the International Tracing Instrument (ITI) by exchanging regional and sub-regional frameworks. In taking these actions it is the hope of the Kingdom of Morocco that the international community can finally make strong and continuous progress in the goal of eliminating the illicit trade of small arms and light weapons. | |
| Committee: | GA Second |
| Topic: | Role of the United Nations in promoting development in the context of globalization and interdependence |
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| The United Nations (UN) has long prioritized globalization and economic interdependence as a method of addressing economic problems. Despite efforts made in the 1960 United Nations Development Decade to promote equal development opportunities, economic development has remained inequitably dispersed between the Most Developed Countries (MDCs) and Least Developed Countries (LDCs). In order to address this, the UN codified the Declaration of the Right to Development in 1986. As a formerly colonized nation who only gained its independence in 1956, the Kingdom of Morocco strongly recognizes the continued importance of this issue, the Kingdom of Morocco is proud to have voted in affirmation of resolution A/RES/79/216 which works towards the resolution of this issue. The creation of reliable pathways to national internet access within Middle Eastern and North African (MENA) member states is also a vital part of empowering Moroccans to join the global community. The Kingdom of Morocco would like to emphasize the importance of decolonization and national autonomy in the consideration of this issue. It is vital that this body consider how the vision of inclusive development must not be limited to the vision of a single member state or outdated colonial narratives. Within the Western Sahara, Morocco has been committed to a form of development that prioritizes the needs of our people. To this end, the Kingdom of Morocco has invested over 36.5 million dirhams into the development of education, healthcare, and youth engagement. Morocco urges member states present to reconsider the Moroccan Autonomy Plan that would enable us to conduct necessary work towards the development of the Western Sahara. The Kingdom of Morocco looks forward to fruitful collaboration with other African and MENA member states to develop region focused solutions that enable our nations to move forward towards a more equitable development future. | |
| Committee: | GA Second |
| Topic: | Protection of global climate for present and future generations of humankind |
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| Since 1992, addressing climate change has been a major part of the United Nations (UN) agenda. The Kingdom of Morocco was proud to sign in affirmation of establishing the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) in 1995. The effects of climate change are felt by all member states but it does not impact us all equally. Countries in the Middle Eastern North African (MENA) region are at a significantly higher risk from climate disasters due to decades of occupation and a current inequitable distribution of global capital towards sustainably developing Least Developed Countries (LDCs). The Kingdom of Morocco is a nation that has been greatly impacted by climate change, especially Land and Forest Degradation and Desertification (LFDD). Within our nation's borders is a long coastline, large swaths of desert, and vast forests. The Kingdom of Morocco recognizes that this increases our vulnerability to climate disasters such as rising sea level, desertification, and water scarcity. With the severity of these issues in mind, the Kingdom of Morocco has increased our unconditional climate emissions reduction goal to 18.3% by 2030. To do this, Morocco has implemented our domestic climate change policy Politique du Changement Climatique au Maroc with the goal of addressing the most pressing issues within our nation.The Kingdom of Morocco is proud of its efforts to avert the effects of climate change domestically, such as our investments in fifty different renewable energy projects. The Kingdom of Morocco also plans to invest over 323 billion dirhams by the year 2030 for adaptation efforts related to overcoming climate difficulties. The Kingdom of Morocco looks forward to productive conversations with regional partners and other member states towards the protection of our shared climate future. | |
| Committee: | GA Third |
| Topic: | Universal realization of the right of peoples to self-determination |
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| As a country that obtained independence from a colonial power, the Kingdom of Morocco recognizes the importance of decolonization in a globalized world, and further highlights self-determination as a vital part of decolonization. Morocco is alarmed at the fact that, under Chapter XI of the Charter of the United Nations (UN), 17 countries remain on the agenda of the UN’s Special Committee on Decolonization. These countries have systematically been subjected to economic strife and lack of peace, but the recent pandemic has left unprecedented damage(in the last 30 years) on health care, education, and income. The UN is dedicated to creating measures to aid the fragile economies of these non-self governing countries. The adoption of the agenda (document PRS/2023/CRP.1) further highlights the UN’s dedication to seeking self-determination for countries and eradicating colonialism. As an independent nation committed to Africa’s freedom, Morocco firmly believes that self-determination is essential to global development and stability. Morocco's position remains committed to ensuring peaceful relations even during disputes to obtain self determination, and condemn using the pursuit of self determination to abuse rights and promote separatist agendas. Morocco firmly upholds the right of nations to self-govern within reasonable bounds, opposing any form of dictatorship or suppression of individual rights. Morocco remains committed to advancing its economy through investments in infrastructure and renewable energy, thereby strengthening tourism and overall national growth. As acknowledged by members of a Special Committee in the United Nations, Morocco has been embroiled in a dispute with the Frente Popular de Liberación de Saguía el Hamra y Río de Oro (Frente POLISARIO) that has lasted longer than 50 years in an effort to ensure self determination. Despite Morocco’s ownership of this land, which was reclaimed from the Portuguese in the 17th Century, Morocco recognizes the importance of affording the Moroccan Sahara with self-determination. The Moroccan Autonomy Plan, which has been supported by over 118 countries, would provide those in the Moroccan Sahara with social and economic opportunities. In conclusion, Morocco aims to reinforce the use of peaceful negotiations in the pursuit of self determination, and condemns the use of violence to obtain such means. The Kingdom of Morocco calls on Member States to create and follow through on frameworks such as the Moroccan Autonomy Plan, and encourages meaningful dialogue that facilitates political solutions through compromise. | |
| Committee: | GA Third |
| Topic: | Improvement of the situation of women and girls in rural areas |
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| According to the World Bank Group, despite making 49% of the global labor force, more than 2.4 billion women are not given equal economic freedoms. Moreover, women and girls are continually overexploited and subjected to inhumane conditions on a daily basis, especially in camps where their freedom of speech and expression, as well as bodily autonomy is forcibly taken away. As exemplified by the formation of the UN Women—the United Nations Entity for Gender Equality and the Empowerment of Women, the United Nations recognizes that women and girls are an essential part to effective functioning in any society. When their safety and security are compromised, it causes radical consequences on a country’s population, reductions in public safety, detriments to family welfare, and overall rises in death rates. Recognizing this, Morocco has undertaken daily efforts to implement additional laws to equalize the treatment and opportunities offered to women, especially in rural areas. The implementation of The Moudawana code, alongside other legal and educational reforms as referenced by The Fund For Global Human Rights, demonstrates the significant strides made by Morocco to ensure the rights of women and girls. Morocco advocates for the establishment and rigorous enforcement of stronger laws, with particular focus on rural regions, in pursuit of greater gender equality. However, it recognizes that additional measures are essential to fully safeguard the individual rights of all citizens. Morocco advocates for the adoption and execution of more severe laws to protect women and children, as well as expanding education efforts, especially in rural areas. These measures would serve as a guiding step into protecting the rights of these groups, providing long-term improvements, justice and equity. | |
| Committee: | GA Plenary |
| Topic: | Our ocean, our future, our responsibility |
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| Though itself uninhabitable to humans, the ocean is the planet’s primary condition of habitability: it regulates climate, underpins the food security and livelihoods of over 3 billion people, and moors many coastal cultures. Yet, we abuse our life-support; 35.5% of global fish stocks are overfished, and 93% are fished at or above sustainable levels globally. Despite the United Nations (UN) action in A/RES/59/25, A/RES/70/75, and A/RES/72/72, illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing accounts for one in five fish caught. And although the General Assembly has limited bottom trawling, in A/RES/61/105, and A/RES/64/72, it still ravages five million km² of seabed annually releasing 370 million metric tons of CO₂ each year. Marine pollution compounds this damage. Estimates from the United Nations Environment Programme put annual plastic leakage into the ocean at 23 metric tons, contaminating food webs and coral reefs. Concomitantly, surface pH has dropped from 8.2 to 8.1 (30% more acidic) with acidity projected to increase by 170% by 2100, and deoxygenation has removed 2% of the ocean’s O₂ since the 1960s, producing more than 500 coastal dead zones. In reaction to this, the UN has laid a strong legal and policy foundation. A/RES/71/312 reaffirms the legal framework in the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea (1982) and demands the delivery of Sustainable Development Goal 14 (Life Below Water). The UN Fish Stocks Agreement and World Trade Organization’s (WTO) 2022 agreement set harvest norms and banned harmful fish subsidies, and the Port State Measures Agreement targets IUU fishing and now covers 101 Member States. However, less than 8 % of the ocean is protected and only a small share is highly protected as financing, traceability and enforcement are binding constraints. Under the Halieutis Plan, Morocco promotes science‑based species management, seasonal closures, vessel monitoring, port‑landing controls and value‑chain upgrades. It implements the International Commission for the Conservation of Atlantic Tunas and General Fisheries Commission for the Mediterranean measures, is expanding MPAs and restoring dunes, wetlands and seagrass. Paired with this, Morocco’s 2016 nationwide plastic‑bag ban, port‑reception upgrades and coastal cleanups exemplify practical circularity. The Kingdom of Morocco calls on Member States to rebuild fish stocks, ratify and implement the WTO agreement, deliver the 30×30 target with quality, and adopt a high-ambition plastics treaty. | |
| Committee: | GA Plenary |
| Topic: | Strengthening of the coordination of emergency humanitarian assistance of the United Nations |
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| Humanitarian needs have surged to an unprecedented 305 million people in 2025. Climate‑amplified disasters, protracted conflicts, epidemics and cascading economic shocks lead global appeals to remain chronically underfunded and neglect emergencies, especially in Africa. A/RES/46/182 establishes the UN’s coordination. Thus, creating the Emergency Relief Coordinator and the Inter-Agency Standing Committee, and paving the way for cluster coordination, the Central Emergency Response Fund, and the Transformative Agenda (2011). However, protracted crises still dominate requirements; direct funding to national responders hovers around 2 %, anticipatory action receives less than 1 %, and one‑third of the world lacks multi‑hazard early warning coverage. Eighty percent of neglected crises are in Africa. Regional bodies, including the African Union’s forthcoming Humanitarian Agency and the League of Arab States’ Disaster Risk Reduction mechanism, are scaling up but still need stronger UN interfaces. After the September 2023 earthquake in Al‑Haouz, the Kingdom of Morocco led a coordinated response, inviting select urban search-and-rescue teams, deploying the Royal Armed Forces, and securing access to isolated villages. The National Disaster Risk Management Strategy and 2016 disaster‑risk insurance law fused public-private coverage with a solidarity fund that released roughly US$300 million within weeks of the quake. Flood early‑warning pilots now protect 240,000 people, and Morocco invests in pre‑positioned humanitarian hubs while projecting its own field hospitals abroad including in Beirut 2020, treating over 23,000 patients. For the success of A/RES/46/182, the Kingdom of Morocco urges Member States to reinforce national leadership and local inclusion, replenish pooled funds, implement pre‑agreed triggers and financing to mainstream anticipatory action, and dedicate significant investment into last‑mile logistics and interoperable data to ensure accountability to affected people. | |
| Committee: | IAEA |
| Topic: | Nuclear security |
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| The presence of nuclear weapons poses a critical threat to the future of humanity. More than 12,000 warheads currently exist, each day threatening to end the progress of civilization with the press of a button. As such, the Kingdom of Morocco strongly supports the reduction of global nuclear armaments and the strengthening of international nuclear security, which the IAEA defines as “the prevention and detection of, and response to, theft, sabotage, unauthorized access, illegal transfer or other malicious acts involving nuclear materials, other radioactive substances or their associated facilities.” With the increasing number of government and civilian nuclear sites, the importance of robust nuclear security has only grown in priority. The Kingdom of Morocco strongly supports the United Nation’s (UN) agendas of total nuclear disarmament and non- proliferation, including Security Council Resolution S/RES/1540, which requires all member states to prevent non-state actors from acquiring weapons of mass destruction, and the 2017 Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons (TPNW), in which each state undertakes never to develop, produce, or stockpile nuclear devices. In its role as a member of the 1540 committee, the Kingdom of Morocco has worked towards a more secure future, sponsoring resolutions, encouraging national reports about the implementation of the committee’s agenda, and standing as a leading voice in North Africa for compliance with S/RES/1540 and similar agreements. The Kingdom of Morocco also maintains a strong capability with regards to the safe usage and transport of nuclear material, as demonstrated in the 2016 Gate to Africa Exercise (GTAE), in which Morocco and Spain practiced the transport of radioactive material across the Mediterranean Sea and a coordinated response to a terrorist hijacking in route. The Kingdom of Morocco is a signatory to numerous international frameworks outlining the safe and ethical use of nuclear technology, such as the 1996 and 2000 Comprehensive Nuclear Test Ban Treaty (CTBT), the 1968 Treaty on the Non- Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT), the 1996 African Nuclear-Weapon-Free Zone Treaty, and a 1975 Comprehensive Safeguards Agreement with the IAEA. As such, the Kingdom of Morocco calls upon all member states to enact policies consistent with the TPNW and commit to international disarmament and non-proliferation, including previous international agreements such as the CNTBT and the NPT. Morocco also emphasizes the need to enforce and expand existing international frameworks tasked with the limitation and prohibition of weapons of mass destruction, and to promote their authority and foundation principles. The complete elimination of nuclear weapons is the first great step to ensuring a world of nuclear security, eliminating the danger a few state actors pose to the rest of the globe. However, nuclear security does not stop with nuclear weapons, so the Kingdom of Morocco urges all member states to put in place comprehensive practices and protocols regarding the secure usage, storage, and transportation of nuclear materials and highlights the need for improved international support and coordination in carrying out this protocols, as exemplified in the GTAE, and the importance of building partnerships in nuclear security, to reduce the threat of improper or destruction usage of nuclear material by non-state actors. Nuclear security is a broad, innovative, and critical field, and only by sustained international collaboration and commitment to global disarmament can the IAEA’s mission be achieved. | |
| Committee: | IAEA |
| Topic: | Strengthening the Agency's activities related to nuclear science, technology and applications |
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| The stated mission of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) is to ‘assist its Member States in planning for and using nuclear science and technology for various peaceful purposes.” Even more than nuclear disarmament, the role of the IAEA is to provide guidance and support for nations to utilize the enormous potential of nuclear energy to achieve their social and economic goals. As part of the IAEA’s “Atoms for Peace and Development”, it supports developing countries in their endeavour to reach the UN’s Sustainable Developments Goals (SDG) through the application of nuclear science and technology to areas including energy, health, food production, resilient infrastructure, and environmental protection. The Kingdom of Morocco also recognises the potential of nuclear development and has empowered the Moroccan National Centre of Nuclear Energy, Science, and Technology (CNESTEN) to direct collaboration with the IAEA, making great strides towards various SDGs, including advanced isotope analysis, seawater desalination, industrial development, and nuclear medicine. In addition, the Kingdom of Morocco has joined the African Regional Cooperative Agreement for Research, Development and Training related to Nuclear Science and Technology (AFRA) in 2020 and is laying the groundwork for a strategic energy transition to nuclear fuels in the near future. Considering the success and efficacy of regional cooperative agreements such as AFRA, the Kingdom of Morocco urges the IAEA to strengthen and expand these agreements to provide global and regional networks of shared competency and technological exchange. The IAEA must increase its activities to assist nations in the Global South develop long term strategies for the secure implementation of nuclear technologies, quickening their capability to begin implementation of critical applications such as water purification, medical treatment, and energy transition. Only by unlocking the potential of nuclear power to the whole world, not just already developed nations, can the IAEA hope to support the UN’s achievement of the 2030 Agenda’s SDGs. | |
| Committee: | CND |
| Topic: | Promoting alternative development as a development-oriented drug control strategy that is sustainable and inclusive |
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| The United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) estimates that over 200,000 hectares of land are cultivated annually for coca, opium poppy, and cannabis destined for illicit markets. The world drug problem must therefore be viewed not only through a law enforcement lens, but as a development challenge rooted in poverty, inequality, and limited rural opportunity. The United Nations Guiding Principles on Alternative Development (A/RES/68/196) define this approach as a long-term, development-oriented strategy that prevents illicit cultivation by providing sustainable livelihoods. Reaffirmed in the 2016 UNGASS Outcome Document and CND Resolutions 55/8, 60/4, and 66/4, this model has proven effective when paired with rural development and poverty reduction efforts. Recent progress demonstrates that development-oriented strategies yield more lasting results than punitive measures alone. Where governments and partners have prioritized crop diversification, access to markets, and community participation, illicit cultivation has declined while local economies have strengthened. The African Union Plan of Action on Drug Control (2019-2023) and the Arab Strategy on Combating Drugs (2016–2026) tie this principle directly to Agenda 2063 and the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, confirming that sustainable development can serve as both prevention and stabilization. Morocco is a leading voice in translating these principles into practice. As one of the world’s largest cannabis resin producers, Morocco recognizes the socio-economic realities of rural cultivation. The passage of Law 13-21 in 2021 legalized and regulated cannabis cultivation for medical, pharmaceutical, and industrial purposes, while protecting farmers through dignified integration into legal markets. The National Agency for the Regulation of Cannabis Activities (ANRAC) oversees licensing and ensures transparency, sustainability, and community participation – demonstrating Morocco’s commitment to balancing economic opportunity with responsible governance. At this conference, the delegation of Morocco will advocate for expanded international funding and technical support for crop substitution and rural livelihood programs. Morocco seeks to collaborate with fellow member states, particularly in Africa, Latin America, and the Middle East, to advance South-South cooperation, knowledge- sharing, and agricultural innovation. The delegation will also champion language recognizing the role of women and youth in rural development, along with mechanisms to track long- term success in alternative development initiatives. Morocco aims to serve as a bridge between producer and consumer nations, working toward balanced solutions that reduce dependency on illicit economies while fostering resilience and inclusive growth. | |
| Committee: | CND |
| Topic: | Promoting comprehensive and scientific evidence-based early prevention |
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| The 2025 United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) World Drug Report found that approximately 316 million people aged 15-64 used drugs in 2023, representing about four percent of the global population. Recognizing this growing challenge, the United Nations stresses that prevention must be scientific, evidence-based, and comprehensive. The 2020 International Standards on Drug Use Prevention, jointly published by UNODC and the World Health Organization (WHO), emphasize that the most effective programs begin in childhood and adolescence, are rooted in family and school settings, and rely on continuous evaluation. Likewise, the 2016 UNGASS Outcome Document and CND Resolutions 55/3 and 63/4 call on Member States to design prevention strategies grounded in science, public health, and human rights. Regionally, the African Union Plan of Action on Drug Control (2019-2023) and the UNODC Regional Programme for the Middle East and North Africa (2023-2028) highlight prevention through youth education and community participation with stigma reduction. Morocco supports these frameworks and has aligned its national strategy with their objectives. Morocco’s National Strategy to Combat Drugs prioritizes awareness and early prevention alongside treatment and law enforcement. The Ministry of National Education has introduced school-based life skills and health awareness programs, while teacher and healthcare training ensures interventions meet international standards. Morocco’s specialized clinics integrate prevention with counseling and rehabilitation to reflect Morocco’s commitment to a full continuum of care. The delegation of Morocco will advocate for the expansion of culturally grounded, evidence-based prevention networks. Morocco urges Member States to strengthen prevention through community and faith- based institutions, build prevention capacity in health clinics, and address rural youth vulnerability through agricultural and local development initiatives. Morocco will collaborate closely with African, Arab, and European partners to promote data-driven, inclusive prevention models that integrate public health with sustainable development. Morocco remains committed to ensuring that early prevention becomes not only a cornerstone of global drug policy, but also a driver of public health, resilience, and human dignity. | |
| Committee: | ESCWA |
| Topic: | War on Gaza: tenets and essential elements for sustainable recovery |
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| Since the escalation of Israel-Palestine relations on October 7th, 2023, the Israeli military campaign against the Islamic Resistance Movement (Hamas) has killed over 66,000 Palestinians, wounded over 169,000, and displaced an estimated 1.9 million people within the Gaza Strip. The current devastation underscores that the December 2023 resolution E/ESCWA/31/9 has been insufficient in mitigating the consequences of Israel’s violence in Gaza and its continued subjugation of Palestinian sovereignty. Field research by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) in E/ESCWA/UNDP/2024/Policy brief.2 emphasizes that, beyond civilian casualties and mass displacement, conditions in Gaza, such as widespread destruction, severe food insecurity, and the collapse of infrastructure in education, healthcare, and social services, have only further escalated and are at a “catastrophic level.” In acknowledgement of these conditions, Morocco has consistently supported calls for a ceasefire and international mobilization for humanitarian aid in Gaza. We maintain a 100% UN voting record in condemnation of Israel’s violence in the area across 171 resolutions. The Moroccan monarch, King Mohammed VI, is the chair of the Al-Quds Committee, which has existed since 1975 to address human rights issues in Palestine caused by the Israel-Palestine conflict, independently of the United Nations (UN). As the championing country in this committee and a theological ally with Palestine, we recognize Israel’s actions in Gaza as a genocidal campaign against Palestinians and believe in a two- state solution where Palestine maintains sovereignty over territories it has occupied since 1967 and where East Jerusalem is recognized as the capital. In alignment with this goal, we sustain engagement with Hamas and recognize Hamas officials as representatives for Palestine. However, Morocco continues to value the economic alliance with the state of Israel that has existed since the 2020 Tripartite Declaration, where we agreed to promote and defend “dynamic and innovative economic bilateral cooperation” between Morocco, Israel, and the United States. Recognizing the dire situation that the War on Gaza has created for Palestinians, as well as the economic partnership that Morocco, as well as many other UN member states, has with Israel, we believe that further deliberations on efforts for recovery in the Gaza region must not threaten current trade relationships with Israel or destabilize Israel’s economic strength. With a ceasefire as the foundation, Morocco suggests to fellow member states that plans for sustainable recovery in Gaza must focus on preventing Israel’s annexation of the Gaza territory and on creating measurable plans in collaboration with Hamas to rebuild fallen infrastructure sectors to ensure Palestine can both recover from the war and effectively exercise its sovereignty. | |
| Committee: | ESCWA |
| Topic: | Economic governance: market competition challenges in the Arab Region |
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| Our government recognizes that the dominance of state-owned enterprises (SOEs) is one of the United Nations’ (UN) primary concerns in the Arab Region. United Nations Economic and Social Council (ESCWA) findings in E/ESCWA/31/6 demonstrate that shortcomings in our competition law practices are impediments to both international market cooperation and to the effectiveness of Morocco’s domestic economic policy. Morocco is a proud signatory of the 1997 Greater Arab Free Trade Agreement (GAFTA), which allowed for the elimination of regional tariffs and expansion of our trade within the Arab Region. In recognition of the necessity for economic reform following the adoption of GAFTA, Morocco independently implemented several reforms on the governance of SOEs, such as the implementation of Act 69-00 that created the Department of Public Enterprises and Privatization (DPED) to run the management and regulation of SOEs. Since 2011, we have also mandated that SOEs disclose their corporate activity, and we have new processes for reports to be audited by the Moroccan Court of Accounts to ensure SOE honesty and compliance with Moroccan and international law. In 2014, we established the Moroccan Competition Council to facilitate an economy that encourages competition and inhibits the growth of monopolies in Morocco. These changes have increased global investment, reduced corruption within SEO structures, and increased overall efficiency and revenue in the Moroccan economy. With this in mind, Morocco remains receptive to ESCWA proposals and deliberations to address shortcomings that persist across the Arab Region, and to expand global investment in Moroccan enterprises. However, we remain committed to the tenets of Sharia Law in the development of our economic practices, including the right of corporations to exist as entities to benefit society, anti-interest policies, corporate leaders’ obligation to honest operations and transactions, and the individual’s economic right to self-regulation without excessive government interference. Sharia law remains the foundation for all Moroccan policies that have improved the economic and social prosperity of our kingdom. Reform proposals must be Sharia-compliant for us to look favorably upon them, and Morocco advocates for the expansion of Sharia Law economic practices regionally as a method to address market competition challenges. | |
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