Second Deputy-Speaker of the House of Representatives Mohamed Touimi Benjelloun Participates in the Meeting of the Board of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Francophonie

Second Deputy-Speaker of the House of Representatives Mr. Mohamed Touimi Benjelloun took part in the meeting of the Board of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Francophonie (APF) on January 27-30^th in Dakar, Senegal. The meeting was part of the preparations for the 46^th session of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Francophonie, which coincides this year with the 9^th edition of the Francophone Youth Parliament. Both events will take place on July 4-12^th at the House of Representatives' headquarters.

The meeting had several important activities, as its agenda included the endorsement of the report of the Board meeting held on July 5^th, 2019 in Abidjan, the presentation of a report on the 2019 activities of the Assembly's Secretary-General, and the ratification of the Assembly's 2020 budget. The meeting also set the plans for parliamentary cooperation for the same year, regarding both the multilateral expectations and programs and the progress status of the Assembly's policy framework for 2019-2022.

The Board also raised several topics relative to the reform of the Assembly's Statutes, partnership agreements, reports on the works of standing committees, parliamentary networks, and the reports of regional task officers. The Board also discussed the 50^th anniversary of the francophonie, the political situation in the francophone area, in addition to the issues relative to registering children with civil authorities.

The meeting also highlighted the method of preparation for the 46^th session of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Francophonie and the 9^th edition of the Francophone Youth Parliament, which will take place in the Kingdom of Morocco with the theme "New Democracy Challenges in the 21^st century," as the focus of talks during the session’s general assembly.

The meeting also discussed means of cooperating with the Association of Secretaries General of Francophone Parliaments. Besides, the Board examined the report on the Assembly's last meeting, held in Paris, as well as the Awards of Excellence it granted.

On the sidelines of the meeting, Second Deputy-Speaker of the House of Representatives Mohamed Touimi Benjelloun held talks with many participant heads of delegations to consolidate cooperation and friendship ties, and to bring together positions on matters of common interest.

It should be noted that the Moroccan Parliament joined the Parliamentary Assembly of the Francophonie in 1979. The Assembly, established in May 1967 in Luxembourg, is a space for discussion, presentation of suggestions, and exchange of information and expertise. The Assembly is now formed of 83 sections all over the world.