Address of Hon. Rachid Talbi El Alami, Speaker of the House of Representatives, at the Inauguration of the Congress of the Future

In the Name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful; and may the peace and blessings be upon the Messenger of Allah, on his family and companions;

Mr. Mohamed Ould Errachid, Speaker of the House of Councillors;

Ms. Karol Cariola, Speaker of the Chamber of Deputies of the Republic of Chile;

Senator Walker Matías, Deputy-Speaker of the Senate of the Republic of Chile;

Mr. Gustavo Pacheco Villar, Speaker of the Andean Parliament;

Mr. Alberto van Klaveren, Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Chile;

Mr. Guido Girardi, Founder of the Congress of the Future and Vice President of the Future Encounters Foundation in the Republic of Chile;
Senator Francisco Chahuán, Member of the “Future Challenges” Committee in the Republic of Chile;

Honorable Ministers, Professors, and Experts;

Distinguished Research Students;

Today, we meet again for a noble cause and a shared purpose. It is a gathering to reflect on the future, to revisit the responsibilities we share in building this future, and to question what legacy we will leave for the children of today and the generations of tomorrow on this planet.

This conference does not conceal any hidden agendas or ulterior motives. It is driven only by the desire to improve the quality of life, promote coexistence, defined by peace, security, stability, shared prosperity, and equitable access to the benefits of science, knowledge, development, and progress, while respecting nature and its resources. All of this rests on mutual respect among humans and between nations, in recognition of their sovereign boundaries as enshrined in international law and based on agreed definitions of statehood.

I believe these are the same concerns and priorities of the Congress of the Future and the Future Encounters Foundation, whose decision to choose the Kingdom of Morocco as the first African country to host this significant event is deeply commendable. It is an honor to welcome distinguished statespersons from Chile and other friendly countries, along with academics committed to the cause of life and the future.

Ladies and Gentlemen,

The themes agreed upon in the program of this session represent the major challenges facing humanity today and in the future. These challenges are of such severity, complexity, and magnitude that even dozens of conferences may fall short of providing solutions. Hence, I consider the selection of these topics for reflection and discussion by the Congress of the Future to be a wise and forward-looking choice. This choice underscores the importance of political decision-making guided by the insights of thinkers and scientists, while addressing the questions raised by youth.

A quick look at the challenges facing humanity and the resulting crises, one thing becomes clear: these issues require urgent intervention.

The challenge of restoring peace and security, lost by many nations worldwide, particularly those weary of wars and armed conflicts, requires adherence to international law, non-interference in the internal affairs of nations, and the adoption of democracy as a system of governance instead of models based on single-party rule, sectarianism, ethnicity, or tribalism.

In an international system characterized by fragmentation and the resurgence of alliances and axes in global relations, preventive strategies must replace reactive crisis management. Unfortunately, we live near regions plagued by conflicts, civil wars, and transboundary disputes.

This instability converges with the severe consequences of climate change, resulting in humanitarian tragedies and the suffering of millions due to migration, displacement, and the search for safety from war, hunger, drought, or lack of livelihoods. This raises questions about shared responsibilities regarding our Earth's future, sustainability, and climate justice, especially for the peoples of Africa and Latin America, who suffer disproportionately from the impacts of climate change though they contribute only 4% and 8% of global greenhouse gas emissions, respectively.

In response, humanity is striving to reverse the indicators of environmental degradation, particularly by transitioning to renewable energy. However, the high costs and restrictive intellectual property regimes associated with green technologies exacerbate the climate challenges faced by countries in the Global South, especially in Africa and Latin America.

At the core of these challenges, more than half of the world's population faces a critical scarcity of water resources. This, in turn, intensifies food crises, making food security a geostrategic challenge. Food and supply chains are weaponized in international relations, used as leverage in geopolitical dynamics. In this context, countries in the Global South, particularly in Africa, bear the brunt of an unjust international division of labor.

These challenges are compounded by increasing risks of health crises, including biological warfare, pandemics, and rapidly spreading diseases in an interconnected, globalized world, as we experienced recently with the COVID-19 pandemic. During that crisis, we witnessed how national self-interest overshadowed global solidarity, with vaccines, medicines, and protective equipment monopolized, testing the very concept of international cooperation at the height of the crisis.

Ladies and Gentlemen,

The 21st century is characterized by extraordinary technological advancements and rapid innovations driven by artificial intelligence (AI). While AI offers tremendous benefits, it poses significant risks, including the potential to surpass human cognition and present challenges that humanity may struggle to address in the future.

This raises numerous ethical questions, such as the proper use of technology, the potential alienation of the human intellect, the widening technological divide between the Global North and South, and the protection of individual privacy and personal data. These issues underscore the urgent need for international governance of AI and advanced technologies.

While these technologies simplify life and enhance services, they also generate negative societal impacts, such as defamation, misinformation, and invasions of personal privacy. In addition, they contribute to the erosion of familial and social bonds, the isolation of individuals, and the decline in deep intellectual engagement, particularly in reading and critical thinking.

The digital divide within and between societies is growing, with major corporations increasingly dominating societies, economies, and knowledge systems, shaping consumption patterns and the economy of information.

In the face of these challenges, which are not inevitable, we must resist despair. On the contrary, efforts must be united by those who believe in coexistence, shared futures, democracy, diversity, and the values of solidarity and peace, to:

1. Confront isolationist, regressive, and extremist narratives that exploit crises to undermine universal human values.
2. Work towards international justice in areas such as climate, development, access to food, technology, and knowledge.

This requires ongoing advocacy for climate justice for Africa, Latin America, and other vulnerable regions, along with operationalizing financial mechanisms to help these nations address climate-related challenges and facilitating technology transfers from the Global North to the South.

The potential of the Global South in green energy production must also be recognized, as well as its vast agricultural capacities, with over two-thirds of arable land located in Africa and Latin America. These regions possess young, skilled populations capable of driving progress and represent the largest future markets.

Moreover, both continents are endowed with the world’s largest oceans and seas, offering opportunities for food production, trade, services, and international connectivity.

Ladies and Gentlemen,

In a world full of transformations and challenges, we must work for peace, security, and stability as prerequisites for development, progress, and investment. This includes creating employment opportunities for youth and opening horizons for them. Respecting the sovereignty and territorial integrity of States and preventing crises remain foundational to the international system and the rule of law.

Given the centrality of humanity in building the future, investments in education, training, and knowledge are essential. Schools and public spaces must be revitalized, reading and intellectual engagement encouraged, and youth protected against the misuse of technology by promoting its positive applications.

Northern and affluent countries must realize that their futures are intertwined with those of the Global South. Globalization is not a one-way street of consumption and trade but rather an embrace of openness, mutual acceptance, solidarity, and shared knowledge, skills, and technology through win-win partnerships. Migration must not remain selective, favoring the brain drain from South to North.

Parliaments play a critical role in addressing these challenges through collaboration with academics, research institutions, and intellectuals.

Rest assured, Ladies and Gentlemen, that under the leadership of His Majesty King Mohammed VI, may Allah assist Him, Morocco has much to contribute to addressing the challenges of the 21st century. This is evident in its initiatives in green economy projects, its contributions to regional and global peace, and its solidarity efforts with its African neighbors.

In conclusion, I would like to reiterate my gratitude for your choice of the Kingdom of Morocco as the host for this session of your conference. We deeply value this decision as a symbol of friendship, loyalty, and shared values. Finally, I would especially like to convey my appreciation and thanks to the officials and members of the Parliament of the Republic of Chile and the Future Encounters Foundation.

Once again, I warmly welcome you all and thank you in advance for your contributions.