Rabat – King Mohammed VI dedicated a substantial part of his address today, commemorating the 27th anniversary of his accession to the throne, to discussing socio-economic development that earns global confidence but also at times provokes envy from some parties.
In his speech tonight, the monarch called on Moroccans to embrace confidence and optimism, recalling the pivotal stage the country’s development and prosperity journey has entered in recent years and months.
King Mohammed VI also urged Moroccans to stand against narratives that fuel despair and frustration.
For the monarch, political and institutional stability has become a rare commodity and an invaluable asset.
“In a regional and international environment with no shortage of fluctuations and upheavals, political and institutional stability is a rare, priceless commodity,” the King said.
A deep-rooted culture of effectiveness and excellence
He cited the strength Morocco is drawing from its longstanding state traditions and history spanning centuries. The country has been demonstrating effectiveness through the successful organization of major continental and international events, he argued.
“Morocco has demonstrated this through the excellent organization of continental and international events – a fact that earned our country the respect and admiration of the world, and, at times, aroused the envy of some,” the King said.
The monarch’s remarks come as Morocco continues to be a target for many, especially critics who launched hostile campaigns targeting the North African kingdom as it hosted recent major events, including the 2026 Africa Cup of Nations. Most seasoned sports observers shared a consensus of pride and satisfaction over Morocco’s successful organization of the continental tournament. Unsurprisingly, however, some parties chose to target Morocco in different aspects, criticizing its hosting and also launching online campaigns seeking to tarnish the country’s reputation.
The monarch emphasized how Morocco demonstrated remarkable resilience in all sectors in the face of such exaggerated and jealousy-powered criticism – deploying all resources to tackle challenges, from socio-economic crises to disasters.
He particularly recalled Morocco’s resilience in the face of floods that affected the Gharb and northern parts of the country earlier this year.
King Mohammed VI also dedicated a large part of his speech to Morocco’s economic trajectory, recalling that the country’s economic growth reached around 4.9% in 2025.
This sanguine indicator came with an equivalent or even higher growth rate expected in 2026, he said, citing different sectors that contributed to a successful season, including agriculture.
“As regards agriculture, Morocco experienced significant rainfall and a good agricultural season, which contributed to strengthening water and food security,” the King explained, noting that Morocco has also consolidated its position in different other sectors, including industrial, tourism, and financial investment.
Zooming in on tourism, the monarch drew attention to how Morocco drew nearly 20 million tourist arrivals last year. He added that alongside the country’s dynamic hospitality industry, other sectors – notably the automotive, aerospace, and renewable energy sectors – are equally thriving.
“Today, Morocco has become Africa’s leading automobile exporter, with an annual production capacity of approximately one million vehicles,” the monarch elaborated.
He recalled how the automotive and aerospace industries account for more than 40% of Morocco’s total exports, surpassing phosphates, one of the country’s leading sectors.
Security is key to Morocco’s success and global standing
King Mohammed VI also paid a special tribute to the actors that contribute to Morocco’s security, including the Royal Armed Forces, the Royal Gendarmerie, the local government authorities, national security forces, Auxiliary Forces, and all security services.
For the monarch, security and stability, in addition to institutional efficiency, show positive indicators that boost Morocco’s economic growth and reinforce national sovereignty.
“What gives us the greatest sense of pride and satisfaction is the security and stability enjoyed by Morocco, as well as the efficiency and effectiveness of state institutions,” the monarch explained.
He added that stability is the key element in the development equation and a strategic asset in the country’s journey to further prosperity and development.
“In addition to economic development efforts, numerous initiatives and human development programs have been carried out, in addition to measures to ensure universal social protection with a view to improving the living conditions of Moroccans and achieving social and spatial justice,” the King said.
In recent years, Morocco has strengthened its security cooperation with international partners.
The country works closely with partners in Africa as well as beyond, including the US and European countries, against security challenges – from human and drug trafficking to combatting terrorism.
As a result, several reports and officials from the US and UK have repeatedly emphasized Morocco’s key role in contributing to regional and global peace and security.
As of December 2022, Morocco was one of Africa’s leading contributors to UN peacekeeping operations.
The country’s largest peacekeeping contingents were deployed to the United Nations Organization Stabilization Mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (MONUSCO), with 914 troops, and the United Nations Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission in the Central African Republic (MINUSCA), with 748 troops.
Morocco is now seeking to further strengthen its regional leadership in peace and security through the signing of an agreement to join the Global Peace Operations Initiative’s International Stabilization Force (ISF), reinforcing its commitment to international peacekeeping and security cooperation.
