Ombudsman Benalilou Calls for New Global Cooperation Models

Morocco’s Ombudsman Mohamed Benalilou urged global ombudsman institutions to rethink international cooperation frameworks and adopt innovative governance approaches to meeting modern challenges, during an international conference  in Hong Kong from December 2-4, according to a press release issued by Morocco’s Ombudsman.
Speaking to representatives from 140 institutions, Benalilou highlighted the need for stronger collaboration to bridge gaps between administrative policies and public rights in a rapidly changing world.
He stated that governance should be at the heart of ombudsman efforts, calling for shared strategies that reflect the legal and political realities of each system.
Benalilou described the global crisis in public service governance as a pressing issue. He proposed shifting from traditional cooperation methods to practical models that align legal legitimacy with operational effectiveness.
He suggested new tools and approaches to reinforce the operational capacities of ombudsman institutions while respecting national contexts.
He noted that many ombudsman offices face challenges in integrating international cooperation into their mandates, especially when addressing socio-political tensions caused by public policies. He called for broader political spaces to support more inclusive and effective governance.
Benalilou proposed a “soft and sustainable” approach to global collaboration, focusing on technical partnerships that avoid direct political friction. He stressed the role of the United Nations framework as a neutral ground for advancing international cooperation initiatives.
He also criticized limiting international partnerships to capacity-building, arguing that real progress requires addressing governance in both its political and developmental dimensions. He advocated creating diverse cooperation levels, from strategic alliances to crisis-driven responses, to enhance the institutional performance of ombudsman bodies.
Benalilou concluded by calling for the inclusion of media and public engagement in international ombudsman programs to foster broader support and legitimacy for global cooperation efforts.