In his speech at the opening of the parliamentary session, King Mohammed VI emphasized the importance of continuing legislative reforms. He underlined the need to improve the education and healthcare sectors, while accelerating territorial development with particular attention to mountain regions and oases. During his speech marking the opening of Parliament, King Mohammed VI expressed his gratitude to members of Parliament for their dedication in the areas of legislation, government oversight, and public policy evaluation. He commended the efforts made to strengthen partisan and parliamentary diplomacy in service of Morocco's highest national interests, encouraging closer and more complementary coordination with official diplomacy to ensure greater efficiency. The monarch urged lawmakers to act with a strong sense of responsibility to complete pending legislative work and to remain vigilant and engaged in defending the nation's and citizens' interests. Echoing some of the concerns raised by the GenZ212 protests, he stressed that there should be no contradiction between major national projects and social programs, since both share the same goal: advancing the country's development and improving citizens' living conditions everywhere. The King emphasized the importance of keeping citizens informed about public initiatives, laws, and decisions that directly affect their rights and freedoms. Local development as a mirror of Morocco's progress Recalling his July 29, 2025 Throne Day speech, «There is no place for a two-speed Morocco», King Mohammed VI called for accelerating the country's development and launching a new generation of territorial development programs. Morocco, he said, must pursue a dynamic path toward greater social and territorial justice, ensuring that everyone benefits from economic growth and has equal access to opportunities in all areas. «Local development is the true reflection of a united and rising Morocco that we strive to build. Social justice and the fight against territorial disparities are not mere slogans, but a vital strategy that all stakeholders must embrace». He emphasized the need to mobilize all energies to achieve these objectives, underscoring that territorial transformation requires a shift in mentality and working methods, with a focus on results-oriented governance and optimal use of digital technologies. Progress in health and education sectors The King called for stronger and faster results from this new generation of territorial development programs, advocating a win–win approach between urban and rural areas. These programs, he said, must prioritize key goals: supporting local initiatives, creating job opportunities for young people, improving education and healthcare, and developing regional territories. He urged all officials to combat inefficiency and practices that waste time, effort, and resources, stressing the importance of ensuring the effectiveness of public investment. The King outlined several key priorities: - Paying particular attention to vulnerable areas — especially mountain regions and oases — while addressing their specific needs and characteristics. - Fully activating sustainable development mechanisms for Morocco's coastal zones by implementing the Coastal Law and the National Coastal Plan, to strike a balance between rapid development and environmental protection while maximizing their economic potential. - Expanding rural centers, which play a crucial role in managing urban growth and mitigating its negative effects, by bringing administrative, social, and economic services closer to rural citizens.
