The proceedings of the first edition of the International Forum of Young Socialist and Social Democratic Parliamentarians were officially launched today in Marrakech. The forum is taking place from May 29th to 31st under the theme "The Contribution of Young Parliamentarians to the Promotion of Progressive and Equitable Public Policies."
Organized in partnership with the MENA-Latina network, this forum takes place in a context marked by numerous global disruptions, which have repercussions on geopolitical, economic, social, and environmental aspects.
The opening session of the forum was attended by young socialists, parliamentary figures from different backgrounds, as well as members of the Socialist Union of Popular Forces Party.
Mr. Driss Lachguar, Secretary-General of the party, emphasized that "the creation of this platform allows socialist and social democratic leaders to better communicate, exchange different viewpoints, and develop direct relationships." He added that "empowering young people within political parties is an essential to ensure the continuity and the renewal of any socially-oriented project."
On his part, Mr. Abderrahim Chahid, President of the Socialist Party, highlighted that "the world has experienced profound transformations in the past four years, which began to manifest notably with the emergence of the global pandemic. It became evident that the global system was not up to the task of adequately addressing crises and unforeseen challenges. We all lived through a health crisis that revealed the absence of solidarity between systems, and the rise of competition based on the survival of the strongests and the most autonomous, while the situation of vulnerable systems and communities continues to deteriorate."
He also pointed out that "the Russo-Ukrainian crisis occurred while many countries were still struggling to recover from the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic. This crisis has further exacerbated inflation rates, increasing the suffering of the most vulnerable populations and worsening the fiscal situation in most countries."
Within the framework of the session on sustainable development and environmental transition, Mr. Fernando José Rodríguez García, Minister of Environment and Climate Change in Spain, emphasized the importance of taking concrete measures to effectively address environmental challenges and promote sustainability in all economic and social sectors.
The participants also discussed the necessary actions to combat climate change, protect biodiversity, and preserve natural resources. They emphasized the importance of international cooperation and the implementation of innovative initiatives to achieve sustainable development goals.
The fourth session focused on "Technology, Innovation, and Digital Transformation." The speakers explored the various opportunities and challenges related to the use of digital technologies to promote economic and social development. They highlighted the need to ensure equitable access to information and communication technologies (ICT) and promote digital inclusion.
Finally, the fifth session focused on "Enhancing International Cooperation." The participants in this session discussed numerous ways to strengthen collaboration between countries, international organizations, and non-state actors in order to address new global challenges. They emphasized the importance of utilizing multilateral diplomacy and better coordination of efforts to achieve sustainable and effective solutions.
Regarding the session on sustainable development and environmental transition, Mr. Fernando José Rodríguez García, Minister of Environment and Climate Change in Spain, highlighted the importance of taking concrete measures to address environmental challenges and promote sustainability in all economic and social sectors.
The participants discussed the necessary actions to effectively combat climate change, protect biodiversity, and preserve natural resources. They emphasized the importance of international cooperation and the implementation of innovative initiatives to achieve all sustainable development goals.
Overall, the summit provided an opportunity to shed light on major global issues and promote international cooperation.
In addition to the thematic sessions, the summit was also marked by the presentation of innovative projects and best practices in various fields. Social entrepreneurs, researchers, and representatives of civil society shared their experiences and initiatives aimed at solving socio-environmental problems.
The summit also provided an opportunity for countries to take stock of the progress made in implementing the Sustainable Development Goals defined by the United Nations in 2015. National reports were presented, highlighting achievements, challenges, and future strategies.
In conclusion, the summit on sustainable development and environmental transition was an important platform for discussing global issues related to sustainability and fostering international cooperation. It highlighted inspiring initiatives and strengthened the commitment of relevant stakeholders to a more sustainable and equitable future. The continued collective efforts are essential to address current challenges and ensure a better future for future generations.
