Omar Hilale: The UN Supports His Majesty’s Vision Of Preserving Argania As Part Of Global Heritage
The UN declaration also constitutes recognition of HM the King's leadership in everything related to the regional promotion of the Green Morocco Plan, developing agricultural production, combating poverty in rural areas, valuating agricultural wealth, and ensuring food security in the Kingdom.
The Ambassador, Permanent Representative of Morocco to the United Nations, Omar Hilale, said that by declaring May 10th as the International Day of Argania, the United Nations has supported the vision of His Majesty King Mohammed VI regarding the preservation and appreciation of this national and global heritage.
In his speech at the high-level event organized by Morocco and the United Nations, Hilale said yesterday, Monday, that this UN declaration also constitutes recognition of HM the King’s leadership in everything related to the regional promotion of the Green Morocco Plan, developing agricultural production, combating poverty in rural areas, valuating agricultural wealth, and ensuring food security in the Kingdom.
The Moroccan diplomat added, “This day is an invitation to celebrate this legendary tree and make its cultivation a sustainable socio-economic lever.” We intend to make the [International Day] a catalyst for international cooperation in order to support the social and economic fabric of Argania (rural women entrepreneurs, cooperatives, civil society, scientists and local producers), in order to create and enhance the value chains of this tree.
He recalled that Morocco’s proposal to adopt this International Day, which was unanimously endorsed by the United Nations General Assembly on March 3rd, 2021, constitutes an expression of the international community’s mobilization to preserve and develop this human heritage in order to enhance its social and economic impact and its environmental, humanitarian, cultural, nutritional and medical benefits.
In the same context, the ambassador highlighted the efforts made by the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries, Rural Development, Water and Forests in this regard, and the exceptional mobilization of national actors, as well as the United Nations and its various agencies, so that this celebration is at the level of goals and aspirations to preserve and value the argan tree.
The opening ceremony of this high-level event, organized on the initiative of Morocco and the United Nations, was presided over by the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries, Rural Development, Water and Forests, Aziz Akhannouch.
The event was broadcasted live on the UN Web TV, as well as on YouTube and other social networks.