Daily Press Review - Tuesday, May 7, 2024

OIC Summit in Banjul: Organization Rejects Separatist Plans, Reaffirms Support for the Palestinian Cause

The 15th Summit of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) concluded in Banjul, Gambia, under the theme "Promoting Unity and Solidarity through Dialogue for Sustainable Development." The summit wrapped up with the adoption of a Declaration and a Final Communiqué.

A key aspect of the Banjul Declaration is its firm rejection of all separatist plans that threaten the sovereignty and territorial integrity of OIC member states. The leaders of these countries condemned separatist entities, labeling them as threats to political and security stability in several regions, particularly in Africa. They were likened to terrorist and extremist groups due to their ideologies, financial resources, and practices.

The summit also passed a resolution on Palestine and Al-Quds Acharif, reaffirming unwavering support for the Palestinian cause and the legitimate rights of the Palestinian people to establish an independent state based on the 1967 borders, with Jerusalem as its capital.

Source: Al Bayane

Morocco Attracts American Investors: Launching a Roadshow in Dallas

Morocco has launched a promotional tour in the United States to showcase its potential as a preferred investment platform. This roadshow, which will visit Dallas, Austin, San Francisco, and Seattle, is part of the 16th edition of the U.S.-Africa Business Summit.

Led by Mohcine Jazouli, the Minister Delegate in charge of Investment, Convergence, and Policy Evaluation, the Moroccan delegation includes representatives from key institutions such as the Moroccan Agency for Investment and Export Development (AMDIE) and the National Office of Hydrocarbons and Mines (ONHYM).

The roadshow aims to promote Morocco's advantages to American investors, focusing on strategic sectors like new technologies, electric mobility, renewable energy, and aerospace. The objective is to position Morocco as a dynamic and attractive investment hub in Africa.

The roadshow is also an opportunity to highlight the "Morocco Now" brand, which symbolizes the Kingdom's energy and investment opportunities for international economic players. Given the priority that Morocco places on its relationship with the United States, this promotional campaign targets American investors with particular interest.

Source: Al Bayane

Royal Air Maroc Expands Its Fleet with 12 New Boeing Aircraft

Royal Air Maroc (RAM) continues its expansion by announcing the acquisition of 12 new Boeing aircraft. These new planes, expected for delivery starting in the fourth quarter of 2024, include two Boeing 787 Dreamliners and ten Boeing 737 MAX aircraft, strengthening RAM's existing fleet of 52 planes, primarily comprised of Boeing models.

This acquisition is part of RAM's ambitious development plan, aiming to quadruple its fleet by 2034. This expansion is driven by expected growth in air traffic across Africa and Morocco's bid to host the 2030 FIFA World Cup along with Spain and Portugal.

In addition to these immediate acquisitions, RAM has launched an international call for tenders for the purchase of 200 new aircraft, including long-haul, medium-haul, and short-haul planes. The results of this tender, expected in the coming months, will allow RAM to renew and expand its fleet significantly.

Source: Aujourd'hui le Maroc

Cosmetista Expo North & West Africa: 17th Edition Showcases Beauty Trends

The Cosmetista Expo North & West Africa, a key event for professionals in the beauty, cosmetics, and wellness industries, opens on Saturday, May 11, for its 17th edition. This year's event promises to be exceptional in terms of scale and quality of exhibitors.

Hosted from May 11 to 14 at the AMDIE site in Casablanca, the Cosmetista Expo North & West Africa has doubled its capacity this year, reflecting the dynamic growth in Morocco's cosmetic sector and the global stature of this significant event.

The exhibition serves as a showcase for Morocco's renowned cosmetic industry, featuring a wide range of national products like essential oils, argan oil, prickly pear oil, ghassoul, rose water, and black soap. The event is a testament to Morocco's unique expertise in natural beauty products.

Source: Aujourd'hui le Maroc

Morocco's Effort to Eliminate HIV by 2030: A Focus on the "Undetectable = Untransmissible" Approach

Morocco is showing unwavering commitment in its fight against HIV/AIDS, with an ambitious goal to eliminate the epidemic by 2030. The Ministry of Health and Social Protection is focusing on the "Undetectable = Untransmissible" (U=U) approach as a key pillar of the national response.

Morocco has made significant progress in fighting HIV/AIDS. Between 2010 and 2023, new infections decreased by 35%, and deaths related to HIV dropped by 53%. These advances reflect the effectiveness of the national response.

The U=U approach states that people living with HIV with undetectable viral loads, thanks to effective antiretroviral therapy, cannot transmit the virus to their sexual partners. This revolutionary approach has the potential to transform the fight against HIV/AIDS by significantly reducing virus transmission and improving the quality of life for people living with HIV.

Recognizing the potential of this approach, Morocco is committed to integrating it into its national response to HIV/AIDS. To further this goal, the Ministry of Health has launched a call for proposals to recruit a national consultant to help develop this new approach.

Source: Aujourd'hui le Maroc

FICAM 2024: A Vibrant Tribute to Hamid Semlali and Bill Plympton

The 22nd International Festival of Animated Film in Meknès (FICAM) is set to honor two iconic figures in the world of animation: Moroccan pioneer Hamid Semlali and American genius Bill Plympton.

Born in 1930 in Kenitra, Hamid Semlali discovered the magic of animation at an early age. He graduated from the Institute of Fine Arts in Baghdad, Iraq, and delved into the creative world through internships and production workshops in Prague, in the former Czechoslovakia.

In 1982, Semlali made his first film, "Dictli la poule," a humorous fable about a child who dreams of becoming a chicken. He taught visual arts but left teaching in 1985 to pursue his passions: animation and children's literature. That same year, he founded Al Aïn, a production studio for films and commercials.

Drawing inspiration from collective memory, Hamid Semlali educates young audiences about the richness of Moroccan heritage. His prolific work includes around ten animated films, such as "Le pollueur," "Mohammed V," "Bobo le sauveur," "Bobo et le fromage," and "L'oiseau de l'Atlas," along with more than sixty children's books.

In a time when independent cinema was rare in the United States, Bill Plympton emerged as a unique artist, proving that it was possible to succeed outside the major studios. Heirs to Tex Avery and Chuck Jones, Plympton forges his own path to create the animation he desires.

Source: Le Matin du Sahara

Eastern Mediterranean Alliance Warns of Rising Female Cancer Rates in the Region

The Eastern Mediterranean Non-Communicable Diseases Alliance (EM-NCDA), a coalition of NGOs dedicated to combating non-communicable diseases, has issued a warning about the rising incidence of female cancers in the Eastern Mediterranean Region (EMR). By 2040, the number of cancer cases and deaths in the region is expected to double, according to the EM-NCDA.

Female cancers represent a significant public health challenge in the EMR, with 177,246 cases reported in 2022, accounting for 4.7% of the global total. Among women in the region, breast, colon, cervical, ovarian, and liver cancers are the most common.

In Morocco, the burden of female cancers is particularly significant. Breast cancer, with 12,756 cases reported in 2022, and cervical cancer, with 2,644 cases the same year, are the most frequent among Moroccan women. Breast cancer alone accounts for approximately 35.5% of all female cancers in Morocco.

Cancer plays a significant role among the non-communicable diseases (NCDs) affecting the female population in the EMR and Morocco. Although other NCDs such as cardiovascular diseases, diabetes, and chronic respiratory diseases also pose health challenges, cancer stands out for its profound impact on morbidity, mortality rates, and healthcare systems. An estimated 16% of deaths due to chronic diseases in the region are caused by cancer. Cancer-related deaths account for 10% of all deaths. In Morocco, among the 75% of deaths attributed to NCDs, 11% are due to cancer.

Source: Le Matin du Sahara

Remarkable 51% Increase in Fish Landings at Tarfaya in Q1 2024!

Fishermen in Tarfaya experienced an exceptional start to the year. During the first three months of 2024, coastal and artisanal fish landings at the port of Tarfaya jumped by 51% compared to the same period last year, reaching 1,998 tonnes (T). This increase is accompanied by a 32% rise in the market value of landed products, totaling 85.17 million dirhams (MDH) compared to 64.71 MDH at the end of March 2023.

This performance is driven by a significant 109% increase in white fish landings, reaching 755 T with a value of 14.71 MDH. Cephalopods (+55% to 922 T) and crustaceans (+47% to 29 T) also showed remarkable growth.

However, pelagic fish landings saw a 15% decrease, totaling 292 T with a value of 2.23 MDH.

At the national level, coastal and artisanal fishing shows a less favorable trend, with a 14% decline in landings by the end of March 2024 compared to 2023, totaling 181,280 T. The value of these landings stands at nearly 3 billion dirhams, representing a 2% decrease.

Source: Libération