Abidjan: High-Level Moroccan Parliamentary Delegation Takes Part in 14th Conference of Heads of Assemblies and Representations of the APF's Africa Regional Assembly

A high-level Moroccan delegation took part on Monday, April 3, 2023, in Abidjan, Côte d'Ivoire, in the proceedings of the opening ceremony of the 14th Conference of Heads of Assemblies and Representations of the Africa Regional Assembly under the Parliamentary Assembly of the Francophonie (APF).

The Moroccan delegation, headed by the Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rep. Hassan Benomar, also included Rep. Mohammed Ghayat (Chairperson of the Group of the National Rally of Independents), Rep. Houssain Ouallal (Group of the National Rally of Independents), Rep. Latifa Lablih (Chairperson of the Public Finance Control Committee, Group of Authenticity and Modernity), and Rep. Chafik Hachim-Amine (Istiqlali Group of Unity and Egalitarianism).

This important gathering, spread over two days (April 3-4), is an opportunity for the representatives of the member Parliaments to meet, discuss, and exchange views on opening broad horizons for dialogue to reinforce ties and promote the efforts of Parliaments in the Francophone space.

The participants in this 14th Conference will discuss several themes, mainly the political and social situation in the francophone African States and the political crises in Burkina Faso, Guinea, Mali, Chad, and Tunisia.

The Conference will also feature the discussion of other themes: "Challenges of democratic governance and security in French-speaking Africa," "Food security at stake due to political, social, and economic crises," "The protection of forest ecosystems and fight against desertification in Africa: reflections on the public policies and parliamentary initiatives during the last decade."

The agenda of the Conference also includes other themes related to the missions of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Francophonie, mainly with regard to revising some statutes and the presentation of the proceedings of the Committee in charge of implementing the Solidarity Fund in the Africa Regional Assembly of the APF.

The Conference will also cover the lengthy absence of some African representations from the proceedings of the APF bodies, and will set the date and place for the 15th Conference of Heads of Assemblies and Representations.

On the sidelines of the 14th Conference that will culminate in adopting a final declaration, the Moroccan delegation will hold talks with other participating delegations with a view to reinforcing bilateral and multilateral parliamentary cooperation.