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Rabat- Morocco has made unprecedented accomplishments in nominations to regional and international organizations throughout this year. Compared to 2020’s 29 nominations, Morocco secured 41 appointments in 2021.
The increase in the number of Moroccan representatives appointed or elected to prominent roles in regional and multilateral organizations demonstrates the trust Morocco is gaining in the international community.
In 2021, Morocco succeeded in three main areas: international peace and security, human rights, and development.
Morocco’s role in international peace and security
Due Morocco’s widely applauded counter-terrorism and de-radicalization strategy, Moroccan diplomacy has been successful to bring the country into a leading position in security-related fields globally.
Presidency in UN Commissions: Morocco’s role in international counterterrorism, transnational organized crime, crime prevention, and criminal justice, enabled the country to be elected to the first vice-presidency of the United Nations’ 31st Commission on Crime Prevention and Criminal Justice.
In the same ballot, Morocco was elected to the vice-presidency of the 14th United Nations Congress on Crime Prevention and Criminal Justice during the elections that took place in Kyoto, Japan, between March 7-12, 2021.
Co-chair Anti-Terrorism Focus Group: Morocco’s efforts to combat terrorism on the African continent placed the country among non-permanent members to co-chair the focus group on Africa in the Global Coalition to Defeat ISIS, alongisde Italy, Niger, and the United States.
Chairperson of Central African Republic: In recognition of its commitment to regional and continental security, Morocco was reappointed as chairperson of the United Nations Peacebuilding Commission in the Central African Republic.
Member in the Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons
The kingdom was also re-elected as a member of the Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW) for a two-year term (May 2021-May 2023), and elected as a member of the Steering Committee of the OIAC Program for Strengthening Cooperation with Africa for the period January 2021-January 2022.
Morocco was elected as a member of the Advisory Committee for Education and Awareness of the same organization, between 2022-2024.
Co-chair of anti-terrorism focus group: Morocco was reappointed as Coordinator of the Implementation and Evaluation Group (IAG) of the Global Initiative to Combat Nuclear Terrorism (IGLTN) and as co-chair of the working group.
Chairman of GAFIMOAN: Morocco’s approach to tackling money laundering got it elected as the chair of the Financial Action Task Force for the Middle East and North Africa Zone (GAFIMOAN), in charge of developing international standards in the fight against money laundering and financing of terrorism.
Moreover, the kingdom was appointed to the Planning Department at the Center for Combating Terrorism of the Community of Sahel-Saharan States (CEN-SAD).
Member of the International Law Commission and INTERPOL
In the same context, Morocco was also elected on November 12, 2021, to the International Law Commission, and member of the File Control Commission of the International Criminal Police Organization (INTERPOL).
Successful nominations in human rights organizations
Morocco’s successful bids to join the boards of various international and regional organizations active in the fields of human rights and humanitarian action clearly constituted a vindication of the country’s recent political reforms.
Chairing various UN meetings
The current year was marked by the election of Morocco to chair 18th Meeting of States Parties to the Convention against Torture and Cruel, Inhuman and Degrading Treatment or Punishment.
On October 11, 2020 in Geneva, the kingdom was elected as a member of the United Nations Committee against Torture for the period 2022-2025.
It was re-elected on June 14, 2021, during the 4th Meeting of States Parties to the International Convention for the Protection of All Persons from Enforced Disappearances as Chairman of the Committee on Enforced Disappearances (CED).
These various successes attest to the relevance of the proactive approach followed by the kingdom, but also to the strength of the mobilization of its diplomatic departments.
Read Also: Morocco Launches Special Review Into Human Rights Allegations
These successes illustrate Morocco’s growing international prominence, as well as the relevance and the far-sightedness of Moroccan diplomacy under King Mohammed VI.
In a statement about such acknowledgments of Morocco’s commitment to regional and multilateral diplomacy, the Royal Cabinet noted that King Mohammed VI’s vision has long been “to enhance the Morocco position as an active and responsible member within the international community.”
Leading applications in development fields
2021 was also a fruitful year for Morocco’s representation in development-related international bodies.
Hosting the Executive Council of the World Tourism Organization The organization chose Morocco to host the first regional office of this organization in Africa.
Member of the UNWTO: Furthermore, Morocco was elected as a member of the UNWTO Executive Council between 2021-2025, as President of the 109th International Labor Conference.
Intellectual Property: The country was also chosen to preside over the General Assembly of the World Intellectual Property Organization for 2020-2021.
Culture Promotion: Morocco’s efforts in terms of culture promotion made him to the Vice-Presidency of the Committee of the 1954 Convention for the Protection of Cultural as well the Vice-Presidency of the Intergovernmental Committee for the Safeguarding of the Intangible Heritage.
In addition, the country currently represents the Executive Council of the Commission International Oceanography (OIC) for the period 2021-2023.
UN Positions: In terms of UN-related positions, Morocco was appointed to the United Nations Committee of Experts in Public Administration. It was elected for the third consecutive year to the Vice-Presidency of the Executive Board of UNICEF.
On the inclusive and sustainable industrial development front, Morocco was also re-elected at the 19th session of the General Conference of the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO) to the Industrial Development Council of UNIDO, and the Budget and Program Committee (IDB) for 2022-2024.
Leadership Within the African Union: In an undeniable recognition of Morocco’s leading role in reinforcing the African Union (AU), Fathallah Sijilmassi was appointed as the first Director General of the AU Commission, the highest non-elective position in the hierarchy of this Commission.
Furthermore, Morocco’s Abdelaziz Nihou was appointed as Economic Advisor to the Office of the President of the AU Commission.
To these successes of Moroccans’ appointments is added the most recent election of Mustapha Bousmina as the head of the African Council for Scientific Research and Innovation (CARSI) for a three-year term.
