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Marrakech – Morocco has initiated a new ambitious territorial development program following King Mohammed VI’s directives in his throne speech of July 29. The program marks a shift toward an integrated approach to spatial planning, moving away from traditional social development methods.
A strategic meeting was held today in Tetouan, alongside the annual working meeting with walis and governors responsible for territorial administration and central services of the Ministry of Interior, according to a statement.
Several government members attended this meeting, including ministers of Interior, Equipment and Water, National Education, Preschool and Sports, Health and Social Protection, National Territory Planning, Urban Planning, Housing and City Policy.
The gathering also included ministers of Agriculture, Maritime Fishing, Rural Development and Water and Forests, as well as Economic Inclusion, Small Business, Employment and Skills. Walis and governors were also present.
The main objective was to identify the best strategies for the effective implementation of this royal program, considered a national priority.
The initiative aims to ensure a dignified life for Moroccan citizens through four key pillars: job creation and promoting entrepreneurship, strengthening basic social services (particularly education and healthcare), adopting a proactive and sustainable water resource management model, and launching integrated territorial development projects that align with nationwide megaprojects.
Participants stressed the collective responsibility and need to redouble efforts while maintaining constant mobilization to accelerate this project’s implementation.
Special attention was given to the integrated nature of future programs, requiring enhanced coordination, convergence of actions, and adoption of a participatory approach based on synergy between various local actors.
The meeting expressed total commitment to the imperatives of this new phase, based on a vision focused on integrated territorial development and results-oriented governance with tangible impacts.
The group recognized the importance of merging public policies with citizens’ aspirations to promote equitable social and territorial justice.
‘No place for a Morocco moving at two speeds’
This new approach comes as part of the sovereign’s vision for advanced regionalization, which is now entering a new phase. The monarch has outlined four fundamental guidelines for this generation of programs based on the pooling efforts of all stakeholders around national and territorial priorities.
Nearly a decade after implementing advanced regionalization, which culminated in the prominence of regions in territorial development through Organic Law 111-14 of 2016, this project is about to reach a new level.
The royal speech coincides with a phase of regional development driven by the second mandate of Regional Councils (2022–2027) and the ongoing implementation of the program to reduce territorial and social disparities.
Currently, three regions continue to concentrate more than 58% of national wealth: Casablanca-Settat, Rabat-Salé-Kénitra, and Tangier-Tetouan-Al Hoceima.
King Mohammed VI has rejected the idea of a “two-speed Morocco,” calling for a collective “surge” in the overall upgrading of territorial spaces and catching up on social and spatial disparities.
“Our objective is that, without distinction or exclusion, and in whichever region, the fruits of progress and development benefit all citizens,” the King added.
Recent data shows Morocco’s progress, with the multidimensional poverty rate decreasing from 11.9% in 2014 to 6.8% in 2024. The country has recently joined the category of “high human development” countries according to the Human Development Index (HDI).
Despite these positive indicators, the King pointed out that some areas still experience forms of poverty and precariousness due to a lack of basic infrastructure and equipment, particularly in rural areas.
This new generation of public policies aims to ensure that development benefits reach all citizens, regardless of their social group or region.
