Preparations are well underway in Dakhla, the capital of the Oued Eddahab-Lagouira region, to host the proceedings of the Crans Montana World Summit, scheduled for 12–14 March. Held under the High Patronage of His Majesty King Mohammed VI, this summit, which will be attended by Heads of State and government, ministers, international and regional organisations, parliamentarians, financial institutions, and employers' and professional organisations, is being held under the theme of "South-South Cooperation, the case of Africa".
Participants will address major issues and perspectives for Africa, particularly within the framework of South-South cooperation, to which Morocco attaches strategic importance. On the sidelines of this annual session of the Forum, which is celebrating its 30th anniversary, another Forum entitled "Crans Montana African Women’s Forum" will be organised in partnership with UNESCO (United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization) and ISESCO (Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization). This Forum, whose honorary committee is chaired by Irina Bokova, Director-General of UNESCO, will see the participation of numerous prominent women, including Simone Veil, member of the French Constitutional Council, Nana Konadu Rawlings, former First Lady of Ghana, Huguette Labelle, Chair of Transparency International, Maria da Luz Guebuza, former First Lady of Mozambique, as well as several government and NGO representatives from Europe, the United States, Africa, and the Arab-Muslim world.
On this occasion, the launch of the Atlantic Africa Club will be discussed, described as a "major initiative" in terms of supporting development and regional integration in Africa. "Our Forum has chosen the city of Dakhla for its 2015 annual session," an exceptional meeting intended to be "a major act of peace and an opportunity for everyone to meet, see each other, and talk," Jean-Paul Carteron, President of the Forum, told MAP. Dakhla, he said, "is essentially a model for the future of Morocco and Africa and enjoys an exceptional strategic position as an economic and commercial hub".
"The success in 2014 of two world forums held in Marrakech, the Entrepreneurship Summit and the World Human Rights Forum, contributed to the choice of Morocco to host the 'Crans Montana on Africa' in Dakhla," affirmed the Minister Delegate to the Interior, Cherki Draiss, during his recent visit to inspect the preparations.
Furthermore, the Crans Montana Forum's special programme for New Leaders for Tomorrow will address major youth challenges with a particular focus on Entrepreneurship, CSR, and education. Through the choice of the city of Dakhla, the Crans Montana Forum aims to contribute to the economic and social development of the populations, as well as to strengthen their capacity to meet the challenges of globalisation and to consolidate the foundations of international peace and security. The said forum also aspires to the training and involvement of local elites in the democratic governance of their region with a view to achieving socio-economic development in order to meet the expectations of the populations, indicates a statement from the Forum published on its website. Dakhla, which is also organising the women's solidarity sports raid "La Saharienne 2015" from 17 to 24 February, is very honoured by the holding of the Crans Montana Forum, stress the civil society bodies and organisations in the Oued Eddahab-Lagouira region.
They added: "This Forum is likely to promote the consolidation of security, stability, and economic prosperity for the population of the Kingdom's southern provinces and to open promising perspectives for strengthening the spirit of living together and unity among the peoples of the African continent".
