A large delegation from the Kingdom of Morocco has arrived in Managua, Nicaragua, to take part in the regional seminar of the UN Committee of 24 (C24) for the Caribbean, being held from May 25 to 27.
The delegation is headed by Morocco’s Ambassador and Permanent Representative to the United Nations in New York, Omar Hilale. It includes several officials from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, African Cooperation and Moroccan Expatriates, as well as the Vice-President of the Royal Advisory Council for Saharan Affairs (CORCAS).
In addition, at the invitation of the Chair of the C24 Committee, two elected representatives from the Moroccan Sahara — Ms. Ghalla Bahiya from the Dakhla-Oued Eddahab Region, and Mr. M’hamed Abba from the Laâyoune-Sakia El Hamra Region — are participating in the seminar for the eighth consecutive year.
The participation of elected officials from the Moroccan Sahara in this regional C24 seminar since 2019 has broken the exclusivity previously enjoyed by the "polisario” for decades.
This seminar comes eight months after the adoption of the historic UN Security Council Resolution 2797, which calls on the four parties to engage in discussions without preconditions, based on the autonomy plan under Moroccan sovereignty, in order to reach a definitive political solution.
The Managua meeting will provide an opportunity to inform Committee members and other participants about the latest positive developments regarding the Moroccan Sahara issue, particularly in the context of discussions initiated among the four parties following the adoption of Resolution 2797.
It will also highlight the growing international momentum in support of the autonomy plan under Moroccan sovereignty, backed by 130 countries, representing more than two-thirds of UN member states, including permanent members of the UN Security Council, as well as the successive withdrawals of recognition of the so-called puppet entity.
This seminar, which has recorded a record level of participation compared to previous editions, is being held under the theme:"Renewed Commitments, Partnerships and Innovative Approaches,” with particular emphasis on"promoting resilience and sustainability in the face of climate-related challenges, in line with the Sustainable Development Goals.”
In this context, the Moroccan delegation will deliver a presentation highlighting the progress achieved under the New Development Model for the Southern Provinces, launched by His Majesty King Mohammed VI in 2015 with a budget exceeding 10 billion dollars.
This development model represents a genuine driver of transformation for the Moroccan Sahara region, enabling the implementation of major socio-economic projects, particularly in infrastructure, renewable energy, the blue economy, and desalination plants.