With 200 participants, signed agreements, awards, and above all, the initiation of the idea of creating a bank specifically dedicated to territorial development, the organizers of the International Forum Future Territories (FIATERR) leave Rabat satisfied, according to their report.
The Association of Regions of Morocco (ARM) and the African University of Sciences and Technology (EMIA) Senegal, with the support of the General Directorate of Territorial Communities (DGCT), organized the second edition of the International Forum Future Territories (FIATERR) 2024. This significant event, which received support from the UEMOA Commission, attracted nearly two hundred (200) participants, including experts, policymakers, and territorial development stakeholders from around the world.
This forum, held from February 12th to 14th, 2024 in Rabat, aimed to promote an exchange of ideas and best practices, particularly in terms of financing territorial development. It also aimed to strengthen ties between different stakeholders and foster the establishment of fruitful partnerships.
In addition to the forum, partnership agreements were signed between ARM and the Associations of Regions of Mali and Burkina Faso, as well as with the Association of Departments of Senegal. The region of Guelmim-Oued Noun also signed a partnership agreement with the N'ZI Region in Cote d'Ivoire.
The forum began on February 12th, 2024, at the premises of the International University of Rabat with a training/sensitization session for elected officials and territorial community leaders on financing challenges and innovative solutions. Certificates were officially awarded to the participants of the training.
Territorial development financing is a crucial issue for Territorial Communities that require abundant and adequate financial resources to implement sustainable development projects. This forum was therefore a unique platform to discuss different sources of financing, innovative financing mechanisms, local taxation, decentralized cooperation, financial markets, and necessary reforms to be initiated both by African territorial communities to strengthen their solvency and by States to improve the national institutional environment.
Throughout the three days, plenary sessions, thematic workshops, and a roundtable were organized, allowing participants to share their experiences and knowledge on topics such as local finance reform, state financial transfers to territorial communities, innovative financing, access of communities to financial markets and international cooperation desks, and the renovation of decentralized cooperation.
"We were treated to presentations of practical case studies and examples of best practices by renowned international experts, offering valuable perspectives for African territorial communities," said participants.
The last day witnessed a roundtable discussion involving more than forty participants: experts, elected officials, and practitioners representing Moroccan and African banks and financial institutions and territorial communities.
During this session, it was agreed upon to create a territorial development bank. This financial vehicle will mobilize long-term and abundant financial resources through various channels to finance the investment needs of Territorial Communities.
In addition to financing, technical assistance services will support territories in project maturation, financial management improvement, mobilization of own resources, and risk reduction.
The forum concluded with the presentation of awards and honors to certain organizations and territorial development actors. Among them, the UBUNTU Prize for Solidarity Territories was awarded to Omar Moro, president of the Tanger–Tétouan–Al-Hoceima region, by Adama DIOUF, Minister of Territorial Communities of Senegal, in recognition of his significant contribution to territorial communities and the development of decentralized cooperation between Morocco and African countries.