Leila Benali, minister of Energy Transition and Sustainable Development, stressed that sustainable development has become a “strategic choice” for Morocco under the guidance of King Mohammed VI during the High-Level Political Forum on Sustainable Development held in New York from July 17 to 20.

Moroccan changes to promote economic growth, improve social circumstances, and speed up environmental initiatives were underlined by Minister Benali. A new model concentrating on advancement in the economy, society, territory, and human capital by 2035 has been developed in Morocco as a result of the country’s dedication to sustainable development, all under the direction of King Mohammed VI.

According to Minister Benali’s statement, this new development model aims to find a balance between economic development, social progress, and environmental protection while also advancing governance and policy convergence.

With the inclusion of consultations with all national stakeholders, the National Sustainable Development Strategy has strengthened Morocco’s commitment to accelerate the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

Minister Benali stressed the importance of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and the Paris Agreement in advancing international climate action. Their adoption has raised awareness of environmental challenges and facilitated the incorporation of sustainability into important industries, including finance.

Minister Benali emphasized the significance of global cooperation at both the international and regional levels to tackle the challenges of sustainable development, particularly in light of continuous crises and their effects on African nations.

The Minister emphasized Morocco’s efforts to advance security, justice, and human rights across the globe while bolstering South-South and triangular collaboration.

Leading a significant delegation to the HLPF are Minister Benali, Ambassador Omar Hilale of Morocco’s Permanent Mission to the UN, and top representatives from the Ministry of Energy Transition and the High Commission for Planning.

The theme of the 2018 UN High-Level Political Forum is “Accelerating Recovery after COVID-19 and the Full Implementation of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development at All Levels.” It serves as the main platform for examining and tracking the accomplishments of the 17 SDGs that make up the 2030 Agenda, which was adopted by the UN General Assembly on September 25, 2015.

The UN General Assembly calls for the HLPF to meet every year under the auspices of the Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) and every four years with the involvement of Heads of State and Government.

Read also: Following Israel’s recognition, the US reiterates its support for Morocco’s sovereignty over the Sahara

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According to a letter seen by AFP on Friday, the UN is concerned about “unacceptable conditions” established by Damascus for allowing aid to pass via its Bab al-Hawa border to rebel-held territories in northwest Syria.

Since Monday, when a 2014 UN agreement expired, the distribution of humanitarian aid over the bridge has been halted.

In a statement to the UN Security Council, the Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) stated that a letter from Syrian officials last week authorizing usage of the Syrian-Turkish border crossing “contains two unacceptable conditions.”

The Syrian government “stressed that the United Nations should not communicate with entities designated as ‘terrorist,'” according to OCHA, which raised concerns.

It balked at the second requirement, which required the Syrian Arab Red Crescent (SARC) and the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) to “supervise and facilitate the distribution of humanitarian aid” in northwest Syria.

More than four million people in northwest Syria, according to the UN, are in need of food, water, medicine, and other necessities.

A deal that was made in 2014 allows the UN to primarily send aid to northwest Syria through the Bab al-Hawa crossing in neighboring Turkey.

On Thursday, Syria made the announcement that it will grant the UN permission to utilize Bab al-Hawa for a six-month period to transport essential humanitarian aid to millions of people in rebel-held territories.

Bassam Sabbagh, Syria’s ambassador to the UN, told reporters on Thursday that his nation had made a “sovereign decision” to allow the supplies to continue.

That declaration came after a mechanism that had permitted UN convoys to utilize the bridge to access rebel areas without Damascus’ permission expired on Monday.

Stephane Dujarric, a spokesman for UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, stated on Friday that “there have been no crossings with United Nations humanitarian aid in Bab al-Hawa,” adding that officials were assessing Syria’s permission.

“We’re taking a look at… what exactly was expressed in the letter,” he said.

“These things need to be studied carefully,” he added, reiterating the UN’s “commitment to delivering humanitarian assistance guided by humanitarian principles of non-interference, of impartiality.”

The OCHA document seen by AFP also called for the need to “review” and “clarify” parts of Damascus’ letter, saying the deliveries “must not infringe on the impartiality… neutrality, and independence of the United Nations’ humanitarian operations.”

The UN assistance deliveries are routinely criticized by Damascus as an infringement on its sovereignty, and longtime partner Moscow has been working to undermine the agreement.

Tuesday saw Russia block a nine-month extension of the accord and then prevent a six-month extension from passing due to a lack of support.

The 15 members of the UN Security Council have been attempting to reach an agreement to prolong the cross-border aid agreement for days.

More than 500,000 people have died, millions have been displaced, and Syria’s infrastructure and economy have both been severely damaged by the fighting.

“The scale of needs in Syria requires an unrestricted and comprehensive approach to humanitarian aid,” the ICRC team in New York told AFP.

“We are prepared to provide assistance in any way that fits within our means and with the agreement of all parties involved.”

Read Also: Sustainability, a Common Goal for Morocco, EU (Joint Statement)

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The International Day of Argania will be observed by Morocco and the UN on May 10 at the UN building in New York under the topic “Local socio-economic development and sustainability of the argan ecosystem.”

On March 3, 2021, the UN General Assembly unanimously approved a resolution designating May 10 of each year as the International Day of Argania.

According to a statement from the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries, Rural Development and Water and Forests, this celebration highlights Morocco’s initiatives to promote the argan tree as a tree native to the Kingdom, as well as an ancestral source of sustainable development and an intangible cultural heritage of humanity.

Through the support and promotion of cooperatives and agricultural organizations (SDG 8), it also aims to highlight the role of the argan tree in enhancing community resilience, contributing to food security (SDG 2), climate change adaptation (SDG 13), water stress (SDG 6), and empowering rural women (SDG 5).

In fact, Morocco is dedicated to creating and maintaining sustainable community management methods in the context of water stress and escalating climate change. Morocco is conscious of the environmental problems and challenges facing the argan ecosystem. The Kingdom shares its expertise to improve the resiliency of this iconic ecosystem through this international day, which is observed annually by the UN. The argan tree is a symbol of biodiversity and carries valuable knowledge and experiences to help restore a balance between humans and nature.

According to the statement, this year’s celebrations will begin at the UN headquarters in New York, presided over by Mohamed Sadiki, Morocco’s minister of agriculture, fisheries, rural development, and water and forests, and Omar Hilale, Morocco’s ambassador permanent representative to the UN.

A reception will be held in honor of the community of ambassadors and representatives of the United Nations system to taste the argan tree’s products and learn about what local Moroccan cooperatives have to offer. A two-week art and photography exhibition on the argan tree will also be held at the UN headquarters.

Read Also: Cairo: Morocco participates in Arab League Council’s emergency Sudan meeting

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The President of the 77th Session of the General Assembly, Csaba Korosi, met with the Minister of Foreign Affairs, African Cooperation, and Moroccans Abroad, Nasser Bourita, in New York at the UN headquarters. They were joined by Ambassador Permanent Representative of Morocco to the UN, Omar Hilale.

In addition to congratulating him on his victory, Mr. Bourita emphasized that Morocco was fully prepared to collaborate with the new UNGA President on practical efforts to address the global difficulties the UN and its member states face, such as the energy, financial, and climate crises.

He emphasized the organization and significant initiatives undertaken by the Kingdom in accordance with His Majesty King Mohammed VI’s High Guidelines, particularly in the areas of education, the expansion of social security, renewable energy, the environment, health, and vaccine sovereignty for Morocco and for Africa.

Additionally, Mr. Bourita emphasized the High Royal Instructions and the aim for advancing women’s rights and societal engagement.

During this discussion, the President of the General Assembly emphasized the significant role and contribution Morocco has made to the UN on crucial subjects including the Sustainable Development Goals and water management. In this regard, he hoped that the General Assembly would gain from Morocco’s knowledge in this area at the upcoming meetings he planned to start between November and March of next year, when he will be in office.

At the conclusion of the meeting, Mr. Bourita extended an invitation to the President of the General Assembly to travel to Morocco on business during his term. Mr. Korosi accepted the invitation and expressed his gratitude to the Kingdom.

The interview took place before the 77th session of the UN General Assembly’s general debate.

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Nasser Bourita, the minister of foreign affairs, African cooperation, and Moroccan expatriates, held talks with Hadja Lahbib, his Belgian counterpart, on Tuesday in New York.

Omar Hilale, Morocco’s ambassador and permanent representative to the UN, and Fouad Yazourh, ambassador and director general of the ministry of foreign affairs, attended this conference.

The interview took place before the general discussion of the 77th session of the UN General Assembly.

Aziz Akhannouch, the head of the Moroccan delegation to the UN General Assembly, is accompanied by MR. Bourita under the royal orders of HM King Mohammed VI.

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New York city Mayor, Bill de Blasio, has announced that school systems will shut down another time. This is due to a 3% rate of infection over one week rolling average.

The decision will take place starting from today Thursday, November 19th. The Mayor affirmed that the situation in schools is stable and safe. However, the 3% rate will force them to shut down schools to avoid the spread of infections.

On the other hand, Gyms, Restaurants and public transport are still functioning. However, they are taking strict preventive measures. Such as, social distancing and reduced capacity.

Parents on the other hand have relied on schools to take care of their children while they are out working. Thus, this closure will perplex working parents on how to deal with their children.

Schools in NY reopened at the end of September to opt for an in-person education.

The decision to shut down public schools has come after long calculations to make sure that the percentage is exactly 3%.

New York has set an example in dealing with the spread of Covid-19. It has witnessed a low infection rate. Yet, this decision came as a preventive measure to limit the spiral spread of the infection.

The Mayor has announced that this decision is the start of other measures to come. Especially that other public services are still operating. The fight over the spread of Covid-19 is an 0n-going process.

The Mayor has mentioned that this decision is temporary and that schools will re-open soon. The re-opening of schools is still unclear but it is going to solve a huge problem for parents who count on schools for their kids care.

The Mayor took the chance to urge New Yorkers to take preventive measures seriously in order to lower the rate of Covid-19 infections. Thus, lead to the re-opening of schools and going back to the normal life style.

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