HIBAPRESS
The seventh edition of the "Midayz" forum officially opened last Wednesday evening in Tangier, under the high patronage of King Mohammed VI, under the theme "Divisions and Polarizations: Reinventing the Global Equation".
This edition, which continues until November 29th, is witnessing the participation of high-level guests and speakers to discuss a range of major geo-strategic issues, with a special focus on the challenges, stakes, and opportunities facing Africa and the countries of the Global South.
In a speech during the opening ceremony, the founding president of the Midayz Forum and the Amadeus Institute, Brahim Fassi Fihri, said that in an international context marked by a sharp rise in political, economic, and social divisions, Morocco today stands out as a balancing force and a pivotal actor in the Global South, adding that the Kingdom, under the insightful and bold vision of King Mohammed VI, "is moving forward with confidence, relying on sovereignty, resilience, and solidarity."
Brahim Fassi Fihri pointed out that Morocco adopts an "open, firm, and pragmatic" diplomacy, based on African, Atlantic, Mediterranean, and global identities, considering that this consistent approach has enabled the Kingdom to become a pole for stability, dialogue, and joint development, while enhancing its leading role within a Global South that is now capable of influencing the development of the international system.
Regarding the issue of the Moroccan Sahara, the President of the Amadeus Institute affirmed that Resolution 2797 issued by the Security Council on October 31st put an end to half a century of ambiguity by enshrining the autonomy initiative as the "only serious, credible, and realistic solution," stressing that this historic development is the fruit of a patient, coherent, and constant Moroccan diplomacy, supported by an unprecedented development plan in the southern regions.
Fassi Fihri also highlighted the Atlantic Royal Initiative, launched in 2023, which places the south of the Kingdom at the heart of a new space for integration, growth, and stability for the benefit of Africa, recalling that the Midayz Forum, which was founded 17 years ago, is part of this dynamic, as a group of officials gather annually for dialogue, cooperation, and building a more just and balanced world.
For his part, the President of Gambia, Adama Barrow, praised the insightful leadership of King Mohammed VI, which is reshaping the contours of South-South cooperation through royal visits, concrete agreements, and achievements in the fields of development and education.
Adama Barrow also highlighted the Moroccan initiative for self-governance in resolving regional conflicts, as well as the Kingdom's contribution to promoting stability and prosperity on the African continent.
He also pointed out that Morocco and Gambia share a strong partnership based on solidarity and common interests, calling for Africa to be made a continent of solutions, capable of playing a pivotal role in global governance, stability, innovation, and sustainable development, in line with the spirit and goals of the Midayz Forum.
As for the President of the Republic of Liberia, Joseph Boakai, he confirmed that the theme of this edition of the forum calls for facing a world that is changing unpredictably and sometimes lacks certainty.
Boakai called for collective thinking about the position of the African continent, stressing that Africa must demand its legitimate position as the maker of its own destiny.
For his part, the Prime Minister of Somalia, Hamza Abdi Barre, expressed his deep appreciation to King Mohammed VI for his unwavering commitment to supporting constructive dialogue and strengthening partnerships between the countries of the Global South, praising the efforts of the Kingdom of Morocco, which embodies conscious leadership and a strategic vision in the field of diplomacy, development, and continental cooperation, to rebalance the international system, which faces unlimited and incalculable consequences.
Hamza Abdi Barre affirmed that the Midayz Forum, since its establishment in 2008, has emerged as a wise initiative from the Kingdom and as an international platform for thinkers and decision-makers to exchange ideas on the problems and issues of the countries of the Global South, highlighting the context of the forum's convening at a time when the countries of the South face many challenges related to the profound transformations that the international system is witnessing.
As for the Prime Minister of Grenada, Dickon Mitchell, he addressed the urgent facts of the current era that require more renewed solidarity, recalling that small countries feel these tensions more strongly and are directly exposed to climate change.
He also stressed the importance of strengthening dialogue and diplomacy, pointing out that cooperation always remains possible despite the divisions the world is witnessing.
It is worth mentioning that the Midayz Forum, since its launch in 2008, has affirmed its position as a "soft power" lever, precisely inspired by the Kingdom's ambitious and proactive foreign policy, embodied and led by King Mohammed VI.
This year's session includes the "Midayz Investment Summit" dedicated to encouraging strategic investments in Africa and strengthening partnerships between the public and private sectors, which reaffirms Midayz's commitment to supporting sustainable, inclusive, and structured development.
