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Rabat – In his speech opening the new legislative year on Friday, King Mohammed VI called for stronger efforts to protect Morocco’s coastlines and promote sustainable development that balances economic growth with environmental preservation.
The King spoke about the importance of implementing the National Coastal Plan and enforcing the law related to coastal management. He highlighted the need for a balance between the rapid growth of these areas and the protection of their natural assets.
The monarch urged the government and local authorities to ensure that coastal development strikes “the necessary balance between the rapid development of these spaces and the need to protect and enhance their assets.”
He described Morocco’s coasts as key to building a “national blue economy,” one that creates jobs and generates wealth while preserving marine ecosystems.
The King also called for expanding rural centers to help manage urban growth and make basic services more accessible to people in remote areas. This would reduce migration pressures and promote fairer development across the country, he said.
A broader vision for Morocco’s development
In addition to his environmental focus, the King reiterated his broader vision for Morocco’s development, urging parliament and the government to work together with responsibility and efficiency.
King Mohammed VI concluded by calling on all national actors, from political parties to civil society, to unite behind the shared goal of achieving social and territorial justice, saying that serving the nation requires “integrity, commitment, and selflessness.”
Many Moroccans were closely watching the speech, as it came at a sensitive time marked by youth-led demonstrations and growing public frustration. The recent Gen Z 212 protests have highlighted demands for accountability, better healthcare, quality education, and greater social equality.
Citizens were eager to see how the King would address these concerns, and his emphasis on strengthening local development, improving health and education, and achieving fairer opportunities across regions appeared to respond to some of these public expectations.
In his speech, the monarch listed Morocco’s main national priorities, including the need to support local economic initiatives, create job opportunities for youth, and improve education, health, and regional infrastructure.
“These programs should focus, in particular, on key priority issues we have identified, foremost among them: promoting local initiatives and economic activities, creating job opportunities for youth, improving education and health sectors, and upgrading territorial infrastructure,” he specified.
