In Dakar, the Senegalese-Moroccan Decentralization Conference took place under the high patronage of the Head of State, Macky Sall, marking an exceptional Moroccan participation and highlighting the significant contribution of the provincial delegation of Berkane, a dynamic territory focused on development. The opening ceremony was chaired by Modou Diagne Fada, Senegalese Minister of Territorial Communities, Planning, and Territorial Development.
The Moroccan delegation, led by Governor Abdelouahhab El Jabri, included Mounir Laymouri, Mayor of the city of Tangier and President of the Moroccan Association of Presidents of Municipal Councils (AMPCC), and Mohammed Jelloul, President of the Provincial Council of Berkane, as well as eminent representatives from DGCT, INDH, FEC, CDG, presidents of various municipalities, and the Ambassador of His Majesty the King in Dakar, Hassan Naciri.
Under the theme "Together, Territorial Communities chart the course of South-South decentralized cooperation marked by innovation and progress," the opening ceremony was marked by inspiring speeches from the Senegalese Minister of Territorial Communities, the President of the Senegalese Mayors' Association (AMS), the President of AMPCC, the President of the Union of Cities and Municipalities of Côte d'Ivoire, the Secretary-General of UCLG Africa, the Ambassador of Morocco to Senegal, and a representative of the Council of Territorial Communities of the West African Economic and Monetary Union (CCT, UEMOA). Senegalese professor Massamba Gueye also captivated the audience with insightful communication on the history of relations between Morocco and Senegal
These Conferences, jointly initiated by AMPCC and AMS, bring together territorial elected officials, officials, experts, and territorial managers from both countries. The primary objective is to revisit the history of the secular relations between Morocco and Senegal, to share experiences of ongoing decentralization policies in both countries, and to highlight cooperation and financing opportunities for local development for territorial communities in both nations.
Beyond the elaboration of an action plan for the implementation of the agreement between the umbrella associations, the ambitious objectives include reaffirming and strengthening the solidarity and cooperation ties between the territorial communities of Senegal and Morocco through a more dynamic territorial diplomacy, according to the organizers. In addition to the meeting, a partnership agreement was solemnly signed between the Association of Senegalese Mayors (AMS) and the Moroccan Association of Presidents of Municipal Councils (AMPCC).
The proceedings were the subject of plenary sessions, providing a privileged platform for participants to discuss mechanisms for financing territorial communities in Senegal and Morocco, as well as concrete axes of decentralized cooperation between the two countries and territorial diplomacy. A highlight of these exchanges was marked by the presentation of Berkane's experience, which was invited to share its expertise in digitalization and innovation in public governance. Berkane presented its model of Integrated Municipal Digital Governance, highlighting its commitment to adopting a modern approach to local development, integrating environmental, economic, social, and technological dimensions. This presentation demonstrated Berkane's willingness to be at the forefront of territorial innovation and to play a leading role in the province's economic development.
