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Rabat – Omar Hilale, Morocco’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations, has been selected as co-chair of the upcoming ECOSOC Forum on Science, Technology, and Innovation. He will share this role with Finland’s UN Ambassador, Elina Kalkku.
The forum, which will take place next year on May 7-8, highlights Morocco’s growing prominence in the field of technological innovation and underscores its leadership within the global community.
This appointment is a testament to the strategic priorities of King Mohammed VI, who has championed digital transformation and artificial intelligence as key components of Morocco’s national development agenda.
The country has made significant strides in digital infrastructure and remains committed to integrating technology into key sectors such as education and sustainable development, positioning itself as a major player in Africa’s technological landscape.
In his role as co-chair, Hilale will spearhead discussions on how science and innovation can be leveraged to advance the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The forum’s outcomes will be presented at the ECOSOC High-Level Political Forum in July 2025, where world leaders will assess progress toward the SDGs.
This development further builds on Morocco’s ongoing engagement at the United Nations, including Hilale’s leadership in co-facilitating the first UN resolution on artificial intelligence, adopted in March 2024. Hilale also played a critical role in the establishment of the UN AI Friends Group, which now comprises more than 60 member states.
The 10th edition of the ECOSOC Forum will be of particular significance for the implementation of the Global Digital Compact, adopted in September 2024. Hilale’s appointment reflects Morocco’s commitment to fostering global cooperation in technology and innovation, ensuring these tools are used to achieve sustainable development and address global challenges.
This year’s Forum provided a global platform for Member States and young leaders from across the world to engage in dialogue on addressing challenges impacting youth well-being. It served as a unique space for young people to share their visions and initiatives, offering an opportunity to advance solutions that can accelerate the implementation of the 2030 Agenda and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
The discussions at the 2024 Forum were centered around the overarching theme of the 2024 ECOSOC and HLPF: “Reinforcing the 2030 Agenda and Eradicating Poverty in Times of Multiple Crises: Delivering Effective, Resilient, and Innovative Solutions.”
