Benchaâboun, who chaired by teleconference, in his capacity as Chairman of the outgoing Bureau of the Conference of Ministers of Finance, Planning and Economic Development of the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (ECA), the opening of the 53rd session of the Conference, insisted on the importance of the mobilization of new innovative sources of financing, in particular within the framework of partnerships with the private sector, as well as of the active involvement of the international financial community to support African countries in their economic transformation process, said a press release from the ministry.

This conference, which will be held until March 23, 2021 in Addis Ababa, under the theme "the sustainable industrialization and diversification of Africa in the digital age in the context of covid-19", was also the opportunity for the Minister to reiterate the unwavering commitment of the Kingdom of Morocco, in accordance with the High Directives of HM the King, to the strengthening of African cooperation and the emergence of a strong and autonomous Africa, said the same source.

Benchaâboun also recalled the unprecedented context in which this 53rd session of the Conference is being held, marked by a double health and economic crisis which has had negative repercussions on the world's and Africa's economies.

At the same time, he noted the relevance of the choice of this year's theme, namely "the sustainable industrialization and diversification of Africa in the digital age in the context of covid-19", considering the essential role that sustainable industrialization and digitization can play in strengthening the resilience of the African continent in the face of exogenous shocks and in accelerating the diversification of African economies.