Moroccan Delegation at the Congress of Local and Regional Authorities
A Moroccan delegation is actively participating in the 51st session of the Congress of Local and Regional Authorities of the Council of Europe, which commenced on October 27, 2026, in Strasbourg. This significant event, which runs until October 29, brings together representatives from various local and regional authorities to deliberate on pressing issues concerning territorial management and the functioning of local democracy.
This participation highlights Morocco's status as a Partner for Local Democracy, a designation it has held since April 2019. Notably, Morocco was the first country from the southern Mediterranean region to receive this status from the Council of Europe, underscoring its commitment to enhancing democratic governance.
During the session, the Moroccan delegation is scheduled to engage in meetings with representatives from different member states. These discussions are aimed at fostering bilateral relations and sharing best practices in the fields of territorial governance and participatory democracy.
Key Issues on the Agenda
The agenda for this session includes critical topics such as cross-border cooperation between regions, maintaining democratic resilience in the face of crises, and addressing the impact of rising sea levels on coastal areas. Additionally, combating school absenteeism will be a focal point of discussions.
Other significant issues to be explored include the demographic decline affecting various territories, challenges associated with overtourism, and the depopulation of certain regions. Participants will also consider strategies for creating new opportunities for rural communities facing regional exodus, as well as addressing funding for local resilience and the management of cultural heritage by local and regional authorities.
Furthermore, the congress aims to outline its priorities for the 2026-2031 period. This includes a focus on early warning tools designed to identify risks of democratic backsliding at local and regional levels, contributing to the Council of Europe's New Democratic Pact.
The Congress of Local and Regional Authorities represents over 130,000 local and regional authorities from member states and partners, with a mission to promote local and regional democracy.
As reported by lebrief.ma.
