Morocco’s Minister of Industry and Commerce, Ryad Mezzour, made a significant announcement at the 20th United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO) General Conference in Vienna, on Monday, bringing forth a proposal for Morocco to host the African Observatory of Industrialization in an effort to share the nation’s expertise in industrial statistics with other African countries.
During his address, Minister Mezzour called on international partners to support this initiative, emphasizing its potential to create a knowledge-sharing platform and drive growth across the continent through a renewed focus on South-South cooperation.
The Moroccan proposition aligns with the nation’s ongoing commitment to supporting UNIDO’s mandate, programs, and initiatives aimed at accelerating inclusive and sustainable industrial development. Minister Mezzour underscored that this move follows the recommendations outlined in the “African Industrialization Index 2022.”
Mezzour commended UNIDO’s efforts in crafting an African strategy to provide a unified framework for guiding interventions and ensuring a coordinated and expanded approach to inclusive and sustainable industrial development in Africa, in line with the Sustainable Development Goals.
In his speech themed “Fair Globalization: Innovative Solutions for the Industry of Tomorrow,” Mezzour highlighted the necessity for substantial investments in innovative, sustainable, and inclusive technologies to propel economies forward.
He expressed Morocco’s dedication to being a trailblazer in innovation and sustainable development under the visionary leadership of King Mohammed VI.
Minister Mezzour pointed to Morocco’s commitment in addressing global supply chain disruptions through supportive programs which empower youth and businesses. He noted the creation of the “IP Marketplace,” a platform that fosters innovation by facilitating collaboration between firms, entrepreneurs, and research and development institutions in order to shift from “Made in Morocco” products to “Invented in Morocco” solutions.
According to the official, Morocco has tripled its GDP in less than 20 years and has reined in inflation. The country also recorded a remarkable export performance in the industrial sectors, reaching 37 billion euros in 2022 and representing 87% of Moroccan exports.
He expressed Morocco’s support for Saudi Arabia’s proposal to host the 21st UNIDO General Conference in Riyadh in 2025, highlighting Saudi Arabia’s commitment to a diversified and technologically advanced economy as outlined in its “Vision 2030.”