馃嚥馃嚘MoroccoNorth Africa
Scientific diplomacy: an underutilized lever of influence in Morocco
via Le Matin4 min read
In an international context marked by multiple crises, traditional diplomacy is no longer sufficient, with data, research, and expertise increasingly shaping power dynamics between states. Scientific diplomacy is emerging as a strategic tool for countries seeking influence. In Morocco, this issue is central to a recent policy paper by the Policy Center for the New South PCNS, titled "The Strategic Role of Moroccan Universities in Scientific Diplomacy." Khalid Temsamani, a professor at the Faculty of Sciences of Abdelmalek Essa芒di University and the paper's author, discussed these challenges on the "D茅bat du mardi" program. Temsamani states that international negotiations have changed, requiring scientific evidence to defend positions, especially on climate, energy, and food security. Morocco has significant scientific output, with over 6,000 annual publications and strong international cooperation, but this potential is underutilized. Universities are key to this transformation, producing reliable data for international forums. However, coordination between researchers, diplomats, and public decision-makers is lacking. Scientific diplomacy is also linked to accessing international funding, with countries presenting solid, data-backed projects being better positioned. The paper identifies obstacles such as a lack of institutional coordination, unstructured funding, and limited recognition of scientists' roles in negotiations. Morocco should focus on strategic areas like water,
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This summary was AI-generated from a story originally published by Le Matin.
Abdellatif Jouahri, Wali of Bank Al-Maghrib, is advocating for economic performance to serve as a key driver for improving the living conditions of Moroccans. Citing a 4.9% growth in 2025, controlled inflation, and robust public finances, Jouahri believes that Morocco possesses a strong foundation to expedite necessary reforms.
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Bank Al-Maghrib's 2025 annual report emphasizes the need for more precise targeting of public aid in Morocco to balance social justice and public finance sustainability. The central bank notes significant disparities in living standards, with the wealthiest 20% of households spending over seven times more than the poorest 20%, and considerable gaps between urban and rural areas. The report highlights that universal subsidy mechanisms, such as the 18 billion dirhams spent on compensation in 2025, often benefit wealthier households due to their higher consumption levels. Similarly, the effectiveness of over 32 billion dirhams in tax expenditures, while sometimes having economic or social objectives, requires regular evaluation. Bank Al-Maghrib argues that improving aid targeting is not about reducing solidarity efforts but about optimizing public resources to primarily benefit those most in need. This approach is crucial as public spending is expected to rise due to expanded social protection, public service development, and upcoming reforms like pensions. The bank stresses the importance of preserving budgetary margins, as some exceptional revenues supporting public finances in recent years may not be sustainable. The report recommends general public expenditure reviews and systematic policy evaluations to optimize resource use, ensuring sustainable funding for social priorities without compromising budget stability. Ultimately, Bank Al-Maghrib supports Morocco's commitment to