Morocco officially took over the rotating presidency of the Conference of Ministers of Youth and Sports of Francophonie (CONFEJES) on Friday as the 40th session of the ministerial gathering opened in Rabat.
The handover, from the Republic of Congo to Morocco, marks the start of a two-year term for the North African nation at the helm of the international and continental platform focused on youth empowerment and sports development in Francophone countries.
Moroccan Minister of Youth, Culture, and Communication Mohamed Mehdi Bensaid accepted the leadership baton from his Congolese counterpart during the opening session, which brought together ministers, government officials, and experts from across French-speaking African nations.
Louise Renée Tobie, Secretary General of CONFEJES, described the gathering as a celebration of “four decades of unwavering commitment to youth empowerment in the Francophone world and to promoting sports as a pillar of social cohesion, public health, and collective progress.”
In her opening remarks, Tobie extended her gratitude to King Mohammed VI and the Moroccan government for hosting the conference, which runs from May 13 to 16. She noted that the event began earlier in the week with an international seminar on “Training in Youth and Leisure Professions in the Face of New Political Challenges and Labor Market Demands,” followed by meetings of the administrative and financial committees and expert discussions.
Friday’s ministerial session focused on reviewing reports, examining proposed resolutions, and evaluating the strategic framework for youth and sports policies. The aim is to adopt recommendations that will strengthen public programs in these two critical areas, Tobie told Moroccan outlet Hespress on the sidelines of the meeting.
A National Commitment
Minister Bensaid, in his inaugural speech, said Morocco was honored to host the 40th session and lead CONFEJES, emphasizing that the event takes place under the High Patronage of King Mohammed VI.
“This high-level international event holds special significance for Morocco,” Bensaid said. “It aligns with a strong national momentum inspired by the King’s forward-looking vision that places youth at the center of public policy priorities.”
He cited the monarch’s 2018 Throne Day address, which called for empowering young people with the tools needed for economic, social, and cultural development.
Facing Global Challenges
Bensaid stressed the importance of the conference amid global transformations that pose economic, social, environmental, and technological challenges. “These challenges demand bold, practical responses from all of us to create an environment that guarantees equal opportunities, fosters creativity, and ensures youth participation in public life,” he said.
He reaffirmed Morocco’s “strong, clear, and steadfast” commitment to working with all CONFEJES member states to design and implement inclusive policies tailored to each country’s realities.
The ministerial session continued with closed-door discussions Friday afternoon, with decisions and recommendations expected to support youth empowerment and sports policy reform, including tackling youth employment.
Francophonie’s Presence
The International Organization of La Francophonie (OIF) was represented by Fatima Aouidate, head of its Youth and Civil Society Division. In media statements, she underlined OIF’s engagement in discussions around the daily challenges facing Francophone youth.
“We’re here to propose concrete solutions on issues like access to employment, the digital divide, and sustainable development,” Aouidate said. “This is about finding the most suitable responses for the youth we all represent here today.”
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