Moroccan National Day celebrated in Helsinki

The Embassy of the Kingdom of Morocco, Helsinki on Tuesday celebrated the National Day of the country marking the 25th anniversary of the Throne of King Mohammed VI in a city hotel.

The programme started with the national anthems of Finland and Morocco followed by the welcome address by Ambassador of Morocco to Finland and Estonia Mohamed Achgalou.

People from different strata including diplomates, politicians, bureaucrats and journalists were present at the reception programme.

“We celebrate a quarter of a century of a longstanding process of reforms initiated by His Majesty the King to improve the way of life of Moroccan citizens and empower the political, economic and social institutions,” the Moroccan envoy said.

He said that since his enthronement, His Majesty the King has consistently placed the Moroccan citizen at the forefront of all development initiatives, prioritizing human development.

“The benefits of social protection systems have been extended to all citizens. This initiative is seen as a significant breakthrough in the social sector and a model for social integration, with the number of health coverage beneficiaries reaching approximately 1 million people in 2023,” Achgalou said.

Talking about the country´s economy the ambassador said that despite various obstacles, such as the global economic slowdown, the war in Ukraine and the middle East, an inflationary shock, and the Al Haouz earthquake that struck my country in 2023, the Moroccan economy has shown resilience and rebounded, with real production increasing by 3.4% in 2023.

“The Kingdom's GDP rose from $46.27 billion in 1999 to $147 billion in 2023, reflecting a growth rate of 217%. Over the next five years, Morocco is expected to experience increasing dynamism, especially as it prepares to co-host the 2030 FIFA World Cup along with Spain and Portugal,” he added.

Speaker of Finnish parliament Jussi Halla-aho also spoke on the occasion and thanked the Moroccan people marking the 25th anniversary of the Throne where Toomas Kivimagi, First Deputy Speaker of the Estonian Parliament was present among others.

Halla-aho also pointed out bilateral cooperations between Morocco and Finland in various sectors such as energy, IT and education.

Earlier on Monday Moroccan King Mohammed VI in a speech delivered to the nation on the occasion of the 25th anniversary of the Throne pointed out various economical and development projects during his regime in addition to political and institutional reforms.

“Concurrently, I have been insisting on the optimal implementation of all components of the 2020-2027 National Program for the Supply of Drinking Water and Irrigation Water, which has contributed - by the Grace of the Almighty - to mitigating the severity of the water situation,” said the King.

As Chairman of the al-Quds Committee, he managed to have an unprecedented route opened up, through which we delivered urgent food and medical aid to people in Gaza.

“The keen interest we take in the situation prevailing in the country does not mean we are oblivious of, or insensitive to, the tragedy befalling our Palestinian brothers and sisters,” he said.

“And in keeping with the same spirit of commitment and responsibility, I continue to back constructive initiatives aimed at finding practical solutions, achieving a tangible and permanent ceasefire, and addressing the humanitarian situation,” he added.