An Analysis of King Mohammed VI’s Speech at the United Nations

VIENNA, Va — In his address to the sixty-ninth session of the General Assembly of the United Nations, King Mohammed VI stressed the need to adopt intangible capital within the main criteria to measure the wealth of nations, and how they are classified.

In the Royal speech, His Majesty indicated that the studies carried out by the World Bank have shown that the intangible capital is based on a set of data associated with the reality of living of the population; such as security, stability, human resources, the level of institutions and the quality of life and the environment. The data have a major impact in the development of public policies.

The Monarch highlighted that the evolution of States should not be subject to any punctuation or classification, but must be dealt with as a path based on historical accumulations, positive and respectful as each country has its own peculiarities. He also added that the negative effects that evoke the colonial past, is not intended to prosecute anyone, but it is a sincere call for redress through the countries of the South to reconsider the way to deal with them and support their gradual progress towards development.

He said in this context, as already confirmed in his speech in Abidjan last February that Africa is not in need of humanitarian assistance, but rather it needs mutually beneficial partnerships. He also stressed in the same speech, the need to liberate Africa from its political, economic and social problems. Africa ought to depend, essentially, on its own capabilities to achieve their development.

King Mohammed VI stressed that Morocco demonstrated through important agreements, which have been signed with a number of African countries its role in collaborating with its African counterparts. An exclusive strategic agreement between Morocco and Gabon in the production of fertilizers and directed towards African countries, thus contributing to development and ensuring food security in the continent, especially since they are available on a large reserve of unused land representing 60 percent globally. His Majesty considered that agreement an excellent model of cooperation between the countries of the South, which highlights the ability of these countries to promote self-reliance in Africa and the investment of natural resources of their countries.

He also stressed that development is not just projects and funds, as underdevelopment is not synonymous with the countries of the South. He added that the problem is not related to the nature and qualifications of Africans. They have proven their ability to produce and creativity, whenever circumstances permit and liberated from the heavy legacy left by colonialism.

In addition, the problem of development in Africa does not relate to the nature of the land and climate, despite cruelty in some areas, but to what has been devoted to economic dependency and weakness of support and sources of funding and the lack of development model sustainable. Therefore, providing assistance to these countries is not an option or a vineyard, but it is a necessity and a duty despite the fact that what people need, in reality, is the fruitful cooperation based on mutual respect.

King Mohammed VI launched a hard criticism the West in his speech. He said: “After all these negative effects, it is not the right of these countries to call for the countries of the South to change radically and fast, and according to a strange system different from its culture, principles and its components, as if there is only one development model that can be implemented, which is the Western model.”

His Majesty concluded that development needs the appropriate conditions, with both the level of thought and practice in place, to move into a different dimension in the democratic development, and without interfering in the internal affairs of States, which in turn, ought to adhere to the principles of good governance.

King Mohammed VI’s speech proved, once again, that Morocco is setting its path to become a regional and continental power, through wise and properly implemented policies. The Monarch’s efforts to create new markets in Africa and partner with African nations proved that African nations could achieve greater results should they create strong grounds for an economic and political partnership.

[symple_box color=”blue” text_align=”left” width=”100%” float=”none”]Mr. Beni-ich holds a BA in Law, a BA in Political Sciences, a MA in Security and Intelligence Analyses, a MA in Global Terrorism and a PhD in International Politics. His studies were pursued in England and the U.S.

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