Morocco's King Mohammed VI delivered a national address on Tuesday to mark the 26th anniversary of his accession to the Throne of his Glorious Ancestors, an occasion that renews the bonds of allegiance between the Moroccan people and their Sovereign.

Throne Day serves as a moment for reflection on the state of the nation, where the King reviews national achievements, outlines future challenges, and affirms strategic priorities. In his address, the Sovereign emphasised the following key areas:

National Economic Development

Since his ascension, HM the King has championed the vision of a strong, united, and inclusive Morocco. He cited the country’s progress in economic and human development, attributing its successes to a long-term vision and a foundation of political and institutional stability.

Aligning with the New Development Model, the King reaffirmed his commitment to building a diversified and competitive economy supported by a stable macroeconomic framework. Despite the challenges of recurring droughts and global crises, Morocco’s economy has maintained strong and consistent growth.

The Sovereign noted an unprecedented industrial revival, with industrial exports—particularly in global value chains—doubling since 2014. Strategic sectors such as automotive, aeronautics, renewable energy, agri-food, and tourism have become key drivers of investment and job creation.

He also highlighted significant infrastructure advances, announcing the extension of the high-speed rail line from Kenitra to Marrakech and other large-scale projects focused on water, food, and energy security.

Improving Living Conditions

The King underscored his commitment to improving citizens’ living standards across all regions and social strata. Human development remains a top priority, particularly through the expansion of social protection and direct assistance programs.

Citing the 2024 General Population and Housing Census, the Sovereign noted a sharp decline in multidimensional poverty, from 11.9% in 2014 to 6.8% in 2024. Morocco also crossed the Human Development Index threshold this year, joining the ranks of “high human development” countries.

His Majesty called for a new leap in territorial upgrading and narrowing regional disparities. He urged a shift from traditional development models to an integrated territorial approach that ensures the benefits of progress reach all citizens. He instructed the government to launch a new generation of development programs, focused on local assets, advanced regionalisation, and solidarity among regions.

Relations with Algeria

The Sovereign reaffirmed Morocco’s commitment to regional openness, especially with neighbouring Algeria. Emphasising deep-rooted cultural, religious, and historical ties, the King reiterated his consistent position of fraternity and goodwill toward the Algerian people.

He recalled having consistently extended a hand of friendship to Algeria, expressing Morocco’s readiness for frank and responsible dialogue to resolve outstanding issues.

“Our unwavering commitment to the policy of extending a helping hand to our brothers in Algeria stems from our deep conviction regarding the unity of our peoples and our shared ability to overcome this regrettable situation,” he said.

The King also reaffirmed Morocco’s dedication to Maghreb unity, emphasizing that a functional Maghreb Union cannot materialize without the joint involvement of both Morocco and Algeria, alongside other sister states.

Moroccan Sahara

Addressing the issue of the Moroccan Sahara, the King expressed pride in the growing international support for Morocco’s Autonomy Proposal, which he described as the only viable solution to the conflict.

He extended gratitude to the United Kingdom and the Portuguese Republic for their supportive and constructive positions, reinforcing Morocco’s sovereignty over its southern provinces.

“These positions, which favour the rule of law and legitimacy, inspire honour and pride in us,” the Sovereign stated. “They further encourage us to seek a consensual solution that saves face for all parties, where there will be neither winner nor loser.”