In a speech read on his behalf by the wali/Secretary General of the Ministry of Interior, Mohamed Faouzi, Laftit said that this willingness stems from the determination of Morocco to place the development of Africa at the center of its priorities, consistent with its belief in the effectiveness of South-South cooperation.

He recalled in this regard the speech delivered by His Majesty King Mohammed VI on the occasion of the 28th Summit of the African Union held in Addis Ababa, where the Sovereign stressed: "My vision of South-South cooperation is clear and constant: my country shares what it has, without ostentation."

His Majesty the King has repeatedly noted that Morocco's commitment to Africa and to fruitful South-South cooperation is not the product of a particular circumstance or interest, explained Laftit, adding that the Sovereign has constantly called for an effective and fraternal solidarity, which is mutually beneficial.

The Minister considered that the benefits of this cooperation cannot be ignored because they raise the level of management capabilities of actors of the regional territorial thing, support the process of decentralization on the African continent, and facilitate the optimal investment of points of complementarity between Morocco and its institutions.

He underlined that the efforts made at the national level in all areas related to the achievement of comprehensive territorial development will strengthen and gain more importance in the context of regional and continental cooperation.

He noted that the holding of this Forum, organized in cooperation between the Organization of United Cities and Local Governments of Africa, the Association of Regions of Morocco and the Eastern region, and with the support and coordination of the Ministry of Interior/Directorate General of Local Government, is of great importance, because it embodies the culmination of a long journey of serious work on issues of territorial development at the level of the African continent.

Laftit said that the Forum of Saidia is also an opportunity to contribute to the launch of a positive dynamic to accelerate the pace of decentralized cooperation and partnership between regional authorities in Africa and to devote the strong and sincere will of the emerging African elites in the management of local affairs, and to be more responsive to the legitimate expectations of the peoples of the continent.