The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has revamped its consular network, with Moroccans living in Western Europe as the main beneficiaries. Notably, over 45% of the new appointments have been awarded to women. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has launched one of the most significant consular reshuffles of the past decade, renewing 22 out of 62 positions. This redeployment, affecting a third of Morocco's consular network, is intended to better respond to the evolving needs of Moroccans living abroad. The shake-up primarily concerns countries with large Moroccan diaspora communities, particularly in Western Europe: France (13 out of 17 consulates), Italy (3 out of 7), Spain (2 out of 12), and Belgium (1 out of 3). In North America, a new Consul General has also been appointed in New York. The focus on these regions reflects the ministry's strategic priorities, ensuring strong and effective representation where Moroccan communities are most concentrated. Back in June 2024, the ministry had already appointed new Consuls General in Tunisia, Mauritania, the United Arab Emirates, and Algeria. 45% of new positions filled by women This reshuffle also marks a notable step toward gender parity, with 10 of the 22 new appointees (or 45%) being women. As a result, women now make up 38% of Morocco's Consuls General, a testament to the ministry's commitment to gender equality and the promotion of female talent in leadership roles. To compare, in June 2024, women accounted for 33% of the 15 newly appointed Consuls General. Female representation in Morocco's diplomatic corps has risen from 28% in 2022 to 37% in 2023. However, in the broader public sector, women still hold fewer than 30% of senior leadership positions, as highlighted during a conference organized by the General Secretariat of the Government on March 8, International Women's Day. The new appointments also seek to strike a balance between experience and renewal: 11 Consuls General are stepping into the role for the first time, bringing with them solid careers within the ministry or diplomatic corps. Meanwhile, 7 have been reassigned to new posts, and 4 are returning to roles they've previously held. This ambitious reform is part of a broader effort to equip Morocco's consular services with dynamic, capable profiles, ones that can meet the growing expectations of the diaspora through greater efficiency, accessibility, and public service.
