Moroccan representative talks about how his country has set out to recover from earthquake damage
Speech by Omar Hilale, Chairman of the Delegation of Morocco, at the closing session of the 78th Session of the UNGA. teleSUR
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00:00 (dramatic music)
00:02 - We return to the UN headquarters
00:07 to listen to the statements of the chair
00:09 of the delegation of Morocco.
00:11 - Francis, for your election to preside over the 78th session
00:16 of the General Assembly of the United Nations,
00:19 I wish you success in your endeavor.
00:23 I would also like to commend the special efforts
00:26 of His Excellency Mr. Chabakoros,
00:29 your predecessor who presided over the previous session.
00:32 Allow me to seize this opportunity
00:34 to reaffirm our support to the initiatives
00:38 by His Excellency Mr. Antonio Guterres,
00:40 the Secretary General of the United Nations,
00:43 to empower our organization so that it can address
00:48 the urgent global challenges included in our common agenda.
00:56 We look forward to participating and contributing
00:59 in the summit of the future in 2024.
01:04 Mr. President, allow me to express the deep thanks
01:10 and appreciation of the Kingdom of Morocco
01:13 to their majesties, highnesses, and excellences,
01:16 kings, princes, heads of state and government,
01:19 and ministers that express their solidarity
01:22 and support to Morocco following the earthquake.
01:27 I would like to thank them for their readiness
01:29 to stand with my country to fight the repercussions
01:34 of this natural disaster.
01:35 The Kingdom of Morocco has faced the repercussions
01:39 of this earthquake, which led to the death of 3,000 people
01:43 and injured 5,700 others.
01:47 It also led to grave material losses.
01:50 We face those repercussions with determination,
01:53 seriousness, and solidarity,
01:55 and these are the values of Morocco.
01:58 Since the beginning of the earthquake,
02:01 His Majesty King Mohammed VI, God bless him,
02:06 gave his noble instructions to mobilize
02:09 all state institutions, including the Royal Armed Forces,
02:14 the government institutions, local authorities,
02:17 public forces, and civil prevention teams
02:21 to take all the necessary urgent actions
02:25 to accelerate the rescue and relief of the injured
02:28 and to provide assistance to families affected.
02:33 We immediately established an inter-ministerial committee
02:38 to develop an urgent program for the reconstruction
02:43 and rehabilitation of affected areas.
02:46 The Kingdom of Morocco was under the effective leadership
02:51 and the direct supervision of His Majesty King Mohammed VI,
02:56 God bless him, and we passed from rescue and relief,
03:00 urgent rescue and relief, to reconstruction
03:03 and rehabilitation of affected areas.
03:05 His Majesty gave his noble instructions
03:09 to adopt a well-studied and ambitious program
03:13 to provide strong, consistent, and quick response
03:18 to all the repercussions of this natural disaster.
03:21 We allocated about $12 billion for this program
03:26 from our budget for the next five years.
03:30 The first phase of the project covers all affected areas
03:36 and provides services to 4.2 million people.
03:43 This program was adopted following the identification
03:47 and detailed assessment of needs.
03:51 It includes programs for the reconstruction of homes
03:54 and the rehabilitation of affected infrastructure.
03:57 It also promotes socioeconomic development
04:00 in the affected areas.
04:02 This will be funded, this multilateral program
04:06 will be funded from the state's budget,
04:11 from the contributions of the committee,
04:13 and the special solidarity account established
04:16 to address the repercussions of the earthquake,
04:20 as well as from international support and solidarity.
04:24 His Majesty the King stressed the need
04:26 for the rehabilitation and reconstruction
04:30 to be consistent with the architectural specificities
04:33 and the traditions of the areas.
04:35 It must respect the dignity of its people
04:38 and their norms and traditions.
04:40 In line with these measures,
04:42 all the components of the Moroccan community
04:45 inside the country and abroad took part in national efforts
04:49 to provide assistance to those in need.
04:53 This proved the strong national solidarity
04:56 in our society in these difficult circumstances.
05:00 Mr. President, the earthquake in Morocco,
05:04 as well as the tornado and floods in sisterly Libya,
05:07 as well as climate change, continue to represent
05:11 the biggest challenge to humanity in the globe.
05:17 This is why today, more than ever,
05:20 there's a need to promote prevention,
05:22 resilience, international cooperation,
05:27 as part of the international community's priorities.
05:35 This session is being held in a very critical global context
05:42 that is facing different geopolitical tensions,
05:46 climate change, poverty eradication, migration,
05:50 terrorism, hate speech, pandemics,
05:54 and natural disasters.
05:57 However, the pace of current technological
06:02 and scientific progress might be a source of hope,
06:06 provided that current challenges
06:09 lead to international solidarity and cooperation
06:13 to promote scientific research,
06:16 including artificial intelligence,
06:19 and to encourage the equal sharing of their benefits
06:22 in strategic priorities,
06:24 such as health security, energy transformation,
06:29 food and water security, modern technologies,
06:32 and fighting natural disasters.
06:35 The current circumstances require national policies
06:39 in line with or consistent with our international commitments
06:43 by focusing on the promotion of resilient societies
06:48 through a comprehensive approach based on equity
06:51 and social justice to achieve sustainable development.
06:55 This also requires us to promote a multilateral system
07:00 based on solidarity and cooperation
07:04 with the U.N. at its center.
07:06 This approach was adopted by the Kingdom of Morocco
07:12 in line with the noble instructions
07:14 of His Majesty King Mohammed VI -- God bless him --
07:18 to launch structural workshops,
07:20 especially the new development model,
07:24 to promote sustainable development,
07:27 energy transformation, social coverage,
07:30 and fight natural disasters as part of a comprehensive vision
07:34 that is in line with the sustainable development goals.
07:38 His Majesty King Mohammed VI attaches great importance
07:46 to the empowerment of women and the family in general.
07:51 This is why today he sent a noble message
07:55 to His Excellency the Prime Minister
07:58 to review the personal status codes through consultations
08:06 with the participation of all stakeholders
08:09 to submit amendment proposals for this code within six months.
08:17 Mr. President, the Kingdom of Morocco expresses deep concern
08:22 regarding the spread of hate speech,
08:25 especially through social media.
08:29 This sows the seeds of division within societies,
08:33 cultures, and states,
08:35 and exacerbates violent extremism.
08:40 It is rather the main factor of global instability.
08:44 This is something stressed by His Majesty King Mohammed VI --
08:51 God bless him --
08:52 in his noble message to the participants
08:56 in the ninth session of the Global Forum
08:58 for the Alliance of Civilizations,
09:01 held in Fes on the 22nd and 23rd of November, 2022.
09:05 He said, and I quote,
09:08 "Our civilization has never confronted such risks.
09:14 Coexistence has never faced such tremendous daily challenges.
09:22 Rarely did we fear and suspect others like today,
09:28 and rarely was every trigger event used to instigate fear
09:34 and hatred like today."
09:40 End of quote.
09:42 We reaffirm Morocco's full rejection and condemnation
09:51 of every assault on religious symbols and sacred books.
09:57 We strongly denounce the desecration
10:00 and burning of the Holy Quran.
10:02 This insults more than 2 billion Muslims around the globe.
10:06 This is a violation of the basic rules of human rights.
10:12 The relevant countries should take all the necessary measures
10:15 to stop such violations.
10:18 In line with this position,
10:19 the Kingdom of Morocco tabled in July this year
10:24 a resolution on fighting hate speech
10:26 adopted by consensus, by member states,
10:30 at the United Nations General Assembly
10:33 to condemn this desecration of sacred books.
10:37 For the first time, it classified such acts
10:41 as a violation of international law.
10:44 The resolution also called upon the Secretary General
10:47 of the United Nations
10:48 to organize the first conference on hate speech in 2025.
10:53 We recognize the important role of sports
10:59 in bringing states together
11:01 and spreading a culture of peace and tolerance.
11:05 This is why the Kingdom of Morocco submitted a candidacy
11:09 jointly with Spain and Portugal to host the 2030 World Cup
11:14 finals.
11:16 His Majesty King Mohammed VI, God bless him,
11:23 stressed the importance of this candidacy
11:30 by saying how unprecedented it is.
11:32 It brings together two continents
11:36 and two civilizations, Africa and Europe.
11:39 It unifies the two banks of the Mediterranean
11:42 and promotes the aspirations and ambitions
11:46 of the people of the region for further cooperation,
11:51 understanding, and communication.
11:53 Mr. President, we remain attached
11:55 to a final political solution
11:58 for the fabricated regional conflict in the Moroccan Sahara
12:02 to promote development, stability,
12:06 and peace in the region and the African continent.
12:12 Morocco continues to support the efforts of His Excellency
12:16 the Secretary General of the United Nations
12:20 and his special envoy to relaunch roundtables
12:24 with the same format and the same participants,
12:27 especially Algeria, the main party to this conflict,
12:32 in line with Security Council Resolution 2654.
12:39 We reaffirm once again that the final solution
12:43 can only be political, realistic,
12:47 and practical based on consensus.
12:50 The Initiative for Autonomy,
12:54 as part of the Kingdom of Morocco's territorial integrity
13:00 and national sovereignty,
13:02 remains the only solution
13:04 to this fabricated regional conflict.
13:08 There is no alternative for this solution.
13:11 On this basis, more than 100 countries today
13:17 from all over the world
13:19 support the Moroccan Autonomy Initiative.
13:22 More than -- or around 30 states and regional organizations
13:28 opened consulates in the Sahara.
13:34 As part of our new development model for the southern regions,
13:41 we allocated, until today, $10 billion,
13:46 and we implemented about 81 percent of this project
13:50 to promote the socioeconomic development of this region.
13:54 This made it a regional hub for trade
13:56 between Africa and the rest of the world.
13:58 The special representative --
14:00 or the special envoy of the Secretary General,
14:03 Mr. Stephen de Mistura,
14:05 saw firsthand these achievements during his visit
14:09 of the two cities of Al-Ayun and Al-Dakhla
14:12 in the Moroccan Sahara in the beginning of this month.
14:15 These great efforts are part of the noble instructions
14:22 of His Majesty the King,
14:23 included in his speech to commemorate
14:29 the 47th anniversary of the Green March
14:32 on November 6th, 2022.
14:34 He said, and I quote, "Our defense of the Moroccanness
14:41 of the Sahara is based on a comprehensive approach
14:46 that includes diplomatic and political work,
14:49 the promotion of social, economic,
14:54 and humanitarian development of the region."
15:00 The Kingdom of Morocco expresses deep concern
15:04 regarding the catastrophic humanitarian situation
15:08 in the Tindaf camps in Algeria.
15:11 Algeria, the host country, delegated its authority
15:16 illegally to a separatist armed group
15:23 with confirmed close links
15:25 to criminal and terrorist networks.
15:29 This perversion requires the attention
15:31 of the international community
15:33 because Algeria refuses to register
15:37 and count the people detained in the Tindaf camps.
15:40 This is a blatant and clear violation of international law
15:45 and the repeated calls by the Security Council since 2011.
15:50 The non-registration of people detained in the Tindaf camps
15:57 allowed for the looting of humanitarian assistance
16:01 sent to them.
16:02 This was confirmed in reports by international,
16:06 regional, and non-governmental organizations,
16:09 latest of which a report by WFP in January 23.
16:16 Mr. President, we stand in full solidarity
16:23 with sisterly Libya following the unprecedented floods
16:30 that led to grave losses in lives and properties.
16:35 We express our full, genuine condolences
16:40 to the people and state of Libya
16:42 as well as to the families of victims.
16:48 We wish the injured a speedy recovery.
16:51 In line with the noble instructions of His Majesty
16:54 the King, God bless him,
16:56 we will always stand with the legitimate Libyan institutions
17:00 and we support international efforts
17:02 to solve this crisis in this country
17:05 in line with the agreements reached
17:09 by different Libyan parties,
17:11 especially the U.N. efforts to reach
17:14 a permanent political solution to the Libyan crisis
17:18 in line with the Sukhoirat Agreement of 2015.
17:22 In this vein, Morocco hosted a series of meetings
17:27 that led to an agreement between the Speaker of the House
17:30 and the Chairman of the Libyan High State Council
17:33 in October 2022 to implement the outcomes
17:37 of the Boussaniqa meeting to unify the executive.
17:44 In Boussaniqa, from May 23rd to June 6th, 2023,
17:50 a meeting was held for the joint committee,
17:55 the 6+6, which includes the House of Representatives
18:00 and the Libyan High State Council,
18:03 to prepare for the electoral laws.
18:06 It led to major agreements
18:10 on the organization of elections in Libya.
18:13 Mr. President, the Palestinian question
18:17 is a national priority
18:18 and it is a cornerstone in our foreign policy.
18:21 We call for avoiding any escalation and violence
18:25 so as to prevent the situation from getting out of control.
18:28 We call for sparing the Middle East further tensions,
18:32 which derails the peace process.
18:36 His Majesty King Mohammed VI, God bless him,
18:40 as President and Chairman of the Al-Quds Committee
18:44 and the OIC, expressed the importance
18:47 attached by the Kingdom of Morocco
18:49 to the Palestinian question by saying, I quote,
18:53 "With the same seriousness and determination,
18:56 we stress Morocco's position to ensure a just solution
19:01 to the Palestinian question
19:02 and the legitimate rights of the Palestinian people
19:05 to establish an independent state
19:08 with East Jerusalem as a capital
19:10 to protect the stability and security
19:13 of all the peoples of the region."
19:15 End of quote.
19:16 We reject all unilateral measures
19:19 that jeopardize the historic and legal status
19:23 of Al-Quds Al-Sharif.
19:25 We support the Palestinian authority
19:30 led by His Excellency President Mahmoud Abbas
19:34 and its decisions to protect the legitimate rights
19:38 of the Palestinian people
19:40 to achieve their ambition
19:43 to establish an independent state
19:45 with East Jerusalem as a capital
19:47 on the lines of 4 June 1967,
19:50 in line with the internationally agreed-upon
19:52 two-state solution,
19:54 and in respect of the principles
19:59 of international legitimacy and relevant resolutions.
20:02 Mr. President, in conclusion, it is our responsibility,
20:07 as member states,
20:08 to provide the necessary conditions
20:10 to ensure the success of our organization
20:13 by providing it with the necessary resources
20:16 and political will to ensure its reform
20:19 so that we can build a more just
20:22 and human multilateral global order based on solidarity.
20:28 His Majesty King Mohammed VI, God bless him,
20:31 has already stressed this in his noble speech
20:35 before the 59th session of the General Assembly,
20:38 where he called for the following,
20:40 and I'll quote, "promoting trust in the United Nations
20:45 as our humanity's living conscience,
20:48 as the cornerstone of a new global order
20:52 based on comprehensive peace and security,
20:56 collective development, equality, tolerance,
21:01 democracy, and fraternity."
21:03 End of quote. May the peace, mercy,
21:05 and blessings of God be upon you.
21:07 (Applause.)