Morocco proposes to host the African Observatory on Industrialisation
As part of Morocco's commitment to continue supporting the programmes and initiatives of the United Nations Industrial Development Organisation (UNIDO), which aims to accelerate inclusive and sustainable industrial development, the Moroccan kingdom proposed to host the African Industrialisation Observatory, said the Minister of Industry and Trade, Ryad Mezzour, during the second session of the UNIDO General Conference in Vienna.
In response to the recommendations of the "Index of Industrialisation in Africa 2022", Mezzour urged Morocco's international partners to support this initiative, in order to create a knowledge and growth spillover effect across the continent, initiating a new generation of South-South cooperation.
On this occasion, Mezzour praised, on the one hand, UNIDO's efforts to develop an African strategy that will provide a unified framework capable of guiding its interventions and ensuring a coordinated and comprehensive approach to inclusive and sustainable industrial development in Africa, to achieve the objectives of the green and sustainable economy.
Moreover, he indicated that "UNIDO's projects in Morocco are comprehensive and fully aligned with national objectives"; with a special emphasis on the Country Partnership Programme, which includes the development of industrial zones, agro-industry, industry 4.0, circular economy and decarbonisation.
The Government official highlighted the visit of the UNIDO Director General to Morocco in 2022 and the signing of joint declarations as a step of great importance reflecting the mutual commitment of both parties to industrial innovation and sustainability. This gave new impetus to the partnership between Morocco and UNIDO through the development and implementation of a roadmap for industrial decarbonisation.
"The Kingdom of Morocco, under the leadership of King Mohammed VI, is deeply committed to be part of this transformative journey and to be a forerunner in innovation and sustainable development," stressed the Minister of Trade, specifying that this commitment is based on a clear vision based on the New Development Model that calls for equitable, resilient and sustainable industrial growth.
According to Mezzour in this context, "Morocco's New Development Model is a model of adaptability and resilience, aimed at addressing socio-economic changes and challenges, with a view to achieving economic diversification, human capital development, social inclusion and regional development".
Within this framework, Morocco has launched support programmes, stimulating innovative industrial solutions that strengthen "Made in Morocco" and "Made in Africa". Similarly, the North African country has taken significant steps to encourage innovation with the creation of the "IP Marketplace", a platform that reflects Morocco's commitment to foster innovation ecosystems where companies, entrepreneurs and research and development (R&D) institutions can collaborate and contribute to moving from "products made in Morocco" to "solutions invented in Morocco", according to Mezzour's statement.
The Minister of Industry and Trade highlighted the "exceptional resilience" that Morocco has shown and its ability to be "a model of poly-solutions for poly-crises" such as severe droughts, supply shocks and different successive crises.
In his presentation of the country's key figures, Ryad Mezzour highlighted the fact that Morocco is the leading car manufacturer in Africa and one of the most competitive countries in the world in renewable energies. "Morocco tripled its GDP in less than 20 years and ranked first among 141 countries in terms of stability of the inflation rate, in addition to having recorded a remarkable performance in the export of industrial sectors, reaching 37 billion euros in 2022 with 87% of the value of Moroccan exports," he said.
In another context, Mezzour revealed that Morocco fully supports Saudi Arabia's proposal to host the 21st UNIDO General Conference in Riyadh in 2025. In line with its future vision of 2030, this candidacy reflects Saudi Arabia's will to become a diversified and technologically advanced economy.