Aziz Akhannouch, Head of Government of Morocco, said that globalism is facing unprecedented challenges in an era of reshuffling priorities and international dynamics.  Geopolitical changes must therefore be addressed in the right way.  Quoting King Mohammed VI, he said that everyone must work together to build a new global model.  For the United Nations, its main task remains the same, but its tools and working methods need to be reviewed, he said, emphasizing that Morocco has always called for a multilateralism that is committed to the sovereign equality of States and respect for their territorial integrity.

Turning to the situation in the Middle East, he called for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza and a return to negotiations to put a final end to the war.  Humanitarian assistance must enter Gaza without conditions or restrictions, he said, emphasizing also the vital role of the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA) and the need to implement a clear and comprehensive road map for reconstruction.  The two-State solution cannot be delayed or marginalized, he said, emphasizing also the need for a defined timeframe leading to a Palestinian State with East Jerusalem as its capital and Gaza an integral part of its territory, he said.

Morocco is committed to protecting the Aqsa Mosque compound and other holy sites, he said, adding that it also stands in solidarity with Qatar, Syria and Lebanon in the face of attacks by Israel, he said.  In the same vein, peaceful solutions must be adopted to overcome disputes in Libya, Yemen, Sudan and Somalia through dialogue and consensus, with full respect for national sovereignty and territorial unity. Africa is at a crossroads, he added, quoting King Mohammed as saying that the continent must turn its challenges into opportunities, value its strength and built its future with ambition. For a long time, Africa was the prisoner of a stereotype; today it is a space for innovation, he said.

Turning a blind eye to AI means wasting economic opportunity, but AI must be used responsibly, he said.  By co-hosting the FIFA World Cup in 2030 alongside Portugal and Spain, Morocco is reaffirming its ability to take on great projects that will show “the real beautiful face of Africa” to the world.  On the question of Western Sahara, he called the autonomy initiative the only realistic solution and one that enjoys growing international support. “It is high time to turn the page on this conflict” in a way that fully respects Morocco’s sovereignty and territorial integrity, he said, adding that the Sahara “is a land full of opportunity”.