153rd IPU Assembly: Morocco’s Top Senator Presents Kingdom’s Good Governance Reforms

Arusha (Tanzania) – The Speaker of the House of Councillors, Mohamed Ould Errachid, highlighted on Tuesday in Arusha, Tanzania, the major reforms undertaken by the Kingdom in terms of good governance, citizen empowerment, and the enhancement of public participation in managing public affairs.

Establishing a stronger relationship of trust between citizens and institutions has been at the heart of Morocco’s reform process, led under the wise leadership of His Majesty King Mohammed VI. This effort was consolidated by the 2011 Constitution, which enshrined the principles of good governance, citizen-led and participatory democracy, equality before the law, and equal opportunity for all, stated Mr. Ould Errachid during the 153rd General Assembly of the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU).

These provisions are embodied in the Kingdom’s ongoing reforms and major projects, he added, noting that Parliament plays a decisive role in their implementation by overseeing and evaluating public policies.

Touching upon the efforts deployed to this end, Ould Errachid specifically cited the creation of the National Child Protection Agency and the reinforcement of protection and empowerment systems, particularly benefiting women, youth, and persons with disabilities, alongside the active role of the National Human Rights Council (CNDH), its regional commissions, and its specialized human rights protection mechanisms.

This legislative vision, he continued, also focused on encouraging and broadening political and institutional participation, particularly for women, by designating 90 seats for them in the House of Representatives through regional electoral constituencies while preserving their right to run in local constituencies. Added to this is the implementation of mechanisms aimed at encouraging youth participation and incentivizing political parties to expand representation for women, youth, and persons with disabilities.

In this context, Ould Errachid noted that the appointment of a female Head of Government, a first in the Kingdom’s political history, represents “a qualitative evolution regarding women’s presence in decision-making positions, confirming their access to the highest level of executive responsibility.”

Citizen empowerment is not limited to protecting rights and expanding public life participation; it also requires equipping people with the means to contribute to their local territories’ development, he noted, emphasizing that advanced regionalization stands as one of the Kingdom’s major choices that strengthened the roles of regions and local authorities.

He added that this path will continue through a new generation of integrated territorial development programs, which identify the specific needs and potential of each region to reduce disparities and broaden development opportunities.

Within this framework, the Speaker of the House of Councillors emphasized that the Moroccan Sahara offers a striking example of this dynamic through the New Development Model for the Southern Provinces and major investments made. These initiatives have revitalized local development dynamics and strengthened the role of local populations, through elected institutions, in managing their affairs and deciding their development paths.

He also noted that the parliamentary elections of September 23 confirmed this momentum, with the southern provinces once again recording the highest voter turnout nationally, demonstrating the local population’s strong commitment to their homeland and national unity.

As the Inter-Parliamentary Union prepares to elect a new presidency, Ould Errachid expressed Morocco’s hope that this step will provide new momentum to the Union, reinforcing its unity, effectiveness, and presence in multilateral parliamentary action. He reaffirmed that the Moroccan Parliament will remain an active partner in this endeavor, grounded in the belief that parliaments are uniquely capable of bringing the voice of the people to decision-makers to serve peace and development.