Highlighting the commemoration of the 60th anniversary of the Casablanca Conference during the 38th ordinary session of the Executive Council of the African Union (AU), by teleconference, the Minister recalled that on January 4, 1961, late HM King Mohammed V convened an international conference in Casablanca with the aim of adopting the Casablanca Charter and promoting continental unity.

He stressed that the ambition was indeed to create an integrated Africa at all levels, including the political and economic ones. He added that Morocco's ambition is that the commemoration of the Casablanca Conference "will allow us to give a timeless aspect to the spirit" and to the aspirations of this conference, in favor of a united, and solidarity-based Africa.

Reviewing the challenges that remain to be met, in particular at the level of economic and social recovery, Bourita observed that the African Union must develop a vision and interact with its partners so that Africa could prepare for the post-Covid.

The year 2020 has been a "very difficult" year due to the effect of the Covid 19 pandemic, but thanks to the commitment of the AU Commission, significant progress has been made, said the minister, citing in particular the entry into force of the Continental Free Trade Agreement, the important institutional reforms that have been undertaken and the progress made in establishing peace and security in the continent.

There are also challenges in strengthening professionalism, ethics and expertise within the committee away from activism and lack of professionalism, he concluded.