Speaking at the Sixth Ministerial Meeting of the Like Minded Goup of Countries supporters of Middle-Income countries, held virtually under the theme "Emerging from the Covid-19 pandemic and the future of multilateral support to middle-income countries for the achievement of the 2030 Agenda and the Addis Ababa Action Agenda", Mr. Bourita stressed the commitment of the Kingdom to support the work of the Like-Minded Group so that it can achieve its objectives, noting that Morocco looks forward to strengthening the dialogue on ways to promote and strengthen cooperation and partnerships with and among middle-income countries.

Mr. Bourita described this ministerial meeting "an important moment" for Morocco, which participates for the first time as a Member of the Like-Minded Group of Middle-Income Countries, praising on this occasion Guatemala, which chairs the Group, for its leadership and its efforts to brilliantly steer the work of the Group and voice up the interests of member countries.

The minister noted that the Covid-19 health crisis has had a devastating repercussions on the economic and social development of middle-income countries and that the emergence of new variants accentuate the uncertainties and risks of deterioration confronting the global economic recovery, noting that many countries will not reach pre-crisis GDP levels until a few years from now.

Despite the progress achieved at the national level in the implementation of Sustainable Development Goals, Middle-income countries need, more than ever, a targeted cooperation that meets their specific needs, Mr. Bourita stressed, adding that the Group must therefore continue its action and advocacy with a view to better positioning itself in multilateral cooperation processes.

Mr. Bourita noted in this regard that three areas should guide the action of the Group "in light both of the challenges we face and our respective national development priorities."

Firstly, he pointed out, "strengthening global action and solidarity to rapidly achieve universal immunization, which cannot be reached without facilitating access to affordable vaccines, and without strengthening existing multilateral mechanisms”.

“Secondly; Support the acceleration of transformative reforms towards building a green, more resilient, and sustainable economy,” he stressed.

“Thirdly, The establishment of systems for the prevention, preparedness, and response to emerging and future crises,” the minister said, adding that the succession of crises over the past two decades has demonstrated the importance of designing adequate frameworks at the national, regional and international levels.

Mr. Bourita also stressed the importance of ensuring that middle-income countries are not left behind as the world continues to face this unprecedented crisis and the international community works to recover from the Covid-19 pandemic.

“While putting the human component at the center, and building on the far-reaching National Human Development Initiative and the National Sustainable Development Strategy, Morocco has succeeded to turning the crisis context into an opportunity,” he underlined.

Last May 2021, and under the leadership of His Majesty the King Mohammed VI, Morocco has launched a New People-Centered Development Model, the minister recalled.

“Capitalizing on the achievements of the last 20 years, this new model aims at accelerating economic growth, green and renewable energy, digital technology, social protection, women empowerment and quality education,” Mr. Bourita said.