Saqar Ghobash, the President of the Federal National Council, is at the helm of the UAE delegation participating in the fourth session of the "Marrakech Parliamentary Economic Forum for the Euro-Mediterranean and Gulf Region," scheduled for June 19-20, 2026. This significant event is held under the esteemed patronage of King Mohammed VI of Morocco at the Conference Palace in Marrakech, in collaboration with the Moroccan House of Councillors and the Parliamentary Network of the World Bank, alongside the International Monetary Fund.
The delegation led by Ghobash includes several notable members: Saeed Al-Abadi, Aisha Laitim, Dr. Ahmed Al-Mansouri, Salem Al-Amri, Hashima Al-Afari, Sultan Al-Zaabi, as well as Tarek Al-Marzouqi, the Assistant Secretary-General for Council Affairs. The primary objectives of the forum are to enhance parliamentary dialogue on economic and developmental issues of mutual interest, discuss ways to support economic and trade integration among Euro-Mediterranean and Gulf countries, and explore avenues for collaboration with the African continent.
The forum will commence with a high-level inaugural session featuring the participation of parliamentary heads and regional and international parliamentary unions, along with various ministers, officials, experts, and representatives from international financial institutions. The agenda includes several sessions addressing key topics such as "Global Challenges to Economic Integration and Free Trade and Public Debt," "Stimulating Investment in Artificial Intelligence," and the establishment of a Euro-Mediterranean and Gulf hub for artificial intelligence. There will also be a specific session on Africa focusing on the "African Continental Free Trade Area and Linking Euro-African Value Chains... Towards an Integrated Space for Joint Production, Investment, and Economic Resilience."
Additionally, the forum will discuss enhancing job creation through the blue economy, the role of small and medium enterprises and startups as drivers of innovation and youth employment, and addressing the impacts of climate change on food security. Notably, several agreements and memoranda of understanding are expected to be signed, including a memorandum between the House of Councillors of Morocco and the Parliament of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), as well as a memorandum between the Association of African Senates and the Mediterranean Parliament concerning the strengthening of Euro-Mediterranean-African parliamentary cooperation.
As reported by alkhaleej.ae.
