Day: April 22, 2024

Madrid - Spain's participation as guest of honor at the 16th edition of Morocco International Agriculture Trade Show (SIAM) reflects the excellent level of friendship and cooperation relations between Rabat and Madrid, said Spanish minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, Luis Planas. In an interview with MAP on the eve of his visit to Morocco to take part in SIAM, Planas pointed out that Spain's participation in this year's event is of paramount importance, as it confirms the distinguished level of cooperation between the two neighboring countries in various fields. This fact, he noted, was reaffirmed by the Spanish prime minister, Pedro Sanchez, last week before Parliament, stressing that cooperation relations with Morocco are undoubtedly at their best in recent decades. "The meetings I will be holding on this occasion with my Moroccan counterpart, Mohammed Sadiki, are part of the dynamic cooperation relations between the two countries, and reflect the shared desire of Morocco and Spain to develop th em further, particularly in the agri-food sector," added the minister. In this respect, Planas noted that SIAM will also bring together ministers of agriculture from countries on both sides of the Mediterranean to discuss topics of great importance such as research and development, climate change, innovation and the use of new technologies in the agricultural sector, as well as the resilience and sustainability of agricultural systems. SIAM also provides an opportunity for the countries of the Mediterranean basin to reflect on the common problems and challenges they face, including climate change and the fight against both animal and plant new diseases, he explained. He stressed that cooperation between Rabat and Madrid is constantly developing, as evidenced by the very significant increase in trade, which has risen by 40% over the last five years, making Spain Morocco's leading trading partner. The Spanish minister also referred to the remarkable development of agri-food trade, with exports from Spain to Morocco having reached 1.155 billion euros, a figure that has more than doubled over the last four years, clearly reflecting the level of progress in this field, he underlined. Source: Agence Marocaine De Presse

Rabat - The Bayt Mal Al-Quds Asharif Agency is organizing the 4th simulation model of the International Childhood Summit for Al-Quds on Wednesday and Thursday in Rabat, held under the theme "For the consecration of the values of dialogue and coexistence". According to a press release from the Agency, this event will take place a few days before the 15th summit of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC), scheduled for 4 and 5 May in Banjul, The Gambia. The summit will feature Moroccan and Palestinian children, along with children representing several OIC member states. Additionally, children from Western countries will participate as observers to discuss topics related to the session's theme. The Bayt Mal Al-Quds Asharif Agency, affiliated with the Al-Quds Committee and an OIC agency, aims to engage children in discussions on ideas relevant to their generations. This engagement seeks to translate these ideas into programs and projects for Palestinian children residing in Al-Quds, as part of the agenc y's activities and areas of expertise. The statement noted that the Agency organizes an annual simulation of the International Childhood Summit for Al-Quds as part of the "Children for Al-Quds" Club activities. This club focuses on educating and engaging schoolchildren, aged between 10 and 15, from various nationalities to discuss and exchange ideas on topics that concern them. The Bayt Mal Al-Qods Asharif Agency is a social and humanitarian organization committed to promoting the values of dialogue, coexistence, and rejecting violence and hate speech. This aligns perfectly with the chosen theme for this session, according to the press release. The program for the simulation of the International Childhood Summit for Al-Quds includes workshops aimed at deepening the understanding of peace and coexistence concepts, culminating in a final declaration. Source: Agence Marocaine De Presse

Rabat - A seminar convened by the Atlantic Federation of African Press Agencies (FAAPA) commenced in Rabat, delving into the theme of fact-checking and the detection of fake news in media content. Over the course of five days, the seminar aims to equip 24 journalists from FAAPA member press agencies with essential skills to tackle the proliferation of misinformation. Topics slated for discussion include the historical context of fake news dissemination, the emergence of fact-checking methodologies, and the tools necessary for effective verification. Addressing attendees at the seminar's inauguration, FAAPA President, MAP Director-General Fouad Arif underscored the timeliness of the chosen theme. He emphasized FAAPA's commitment to fostering skill development and fostering exchange among African journalists on issues pertinent to the media profession. Arif expressed optimism that the seminar would catalyze the establishment of an active network of fact-checkers within the pan-African federation. This networ k, he asserted, would play a pivotal role in implementing rigorous verification techniques across member newsrooms, enhancing collaboration within FAAPA. Furthermore, Arif outlined the broader objective of the initiative, which seeks to create a specialized platform for verifying information and multimedia content. Additionally, plans are underway to develop a comprehensive fact-checking guide tailored to African press agency journalists. Xavier Messé A Tiati, a Cameroonian journalist and media expert participating as a trainer, lauded FAAPA's choice of theme. He stressed the urgency for journalists to acquire the latest fact-checking techniques, particularly in light of the rapid dissemination of false information facilitated by social media and the internet. "This training is timely, given the sensitivity of the issue at hand. Journalists are constantly exposed to false news spread with alarming speed and precision by clandestine actors," Tiati remarked. Anticipated outcomes of the seminar include the e stablishment of a FAAPA-affiliated network of fact-checkers. Tasked with sharing best practices and bolstering fact-checking initiatives within African newsrooms, this network is poised to strengthen media integrity across the continent. Source: Agence Marocaine De Presse

Meknes - His Royal Highness Crown Prince Moulay El Hassan chaired, on Monday at Mechouar Stinia-Sahrij Souani in Meknes, the opening ceremony of the 16th International Agricultural Exhibition in Morocco (SIAM), organized under the High Patronage of His Majesty King Mohammed VI, on April 22-28, under the theme 'Climate and Agriculture: Advocating Sustainable and Resilient Production Systems'. At the start of the opening ceremony of this 16th edition, whose guest of honor is the Kingdom of Spain, HRH Crown Prince Moulay El Hassan presented three certificates of recognition of the Distinctive Signs of Origin and Quality to the presidents of producer groups of local products awarded the label during the 2023-2024 crop season. Thus, the first certificate was awarded to Abdelkrim Bayad, president of the Federation of Oriental almond professionals for the Geographical Indication 'Amandes Beni Snassen' (Oriental region), while the second was presented to Mohamed El Hadi, president of the Ait Bouguemez cooperative o f agricultural producers for the Geographical Indication 'Pomme de la Vallée Ait Bouguemez' (Beni Mellal-Khenifra region). The third certificate was awarded to Abdessalam El Houadfi, director of "Le Petit Domaine SARL" company for the 'Free-range chicken eggs' agricultural label. HRH Crown Prince Moulay El Hassan then posed for a souvenir photo with the three farmers. One of the main areas of product development within the framework of the "Green Morocco Plan" and "Génération Green", the labeling system aims to promote the quality of local products and enhance the know-how of local populations, develop rural areas and improve farmers' incomes, protect good-quality local products against usurpation, and promote agriculture in rural areas capable of preserving biodiversity and natural resources. At the entrance to the exhibition, His Royal Highness was greeted by Luis Planas, Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food of the Kingdom of Spain, personalities representing the foreign countries invited (France , Romania, Czech Republic, Benin, Burundi, Côte d'Ivoire, Eswatini, Gabon, The Gambia, Guinea-Bissau, Equatorial Guinea, Libya, Mauritania, Niger, Nigeria, Senegal, Sudan and South Sudan), as well as by Josefa Leonel Correia Sacko, Commissioner for Rural Economy and Agriculture of the African Union Commission. Afterwards, HRH Crown Prince Moulay El Hassan visited the various sections of the exhibition and received explanations on the products showcased, in particular the "Regions" hub, before posing for a souvenir photo with the presidents of the regional councils. His Royal Highness also visited the "Water and Irrigation" and "Research and Innovation" stands in the "Génération Green" pavilion of the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries, Rural Development and Water and Forests, as well as the "Institutional", "Local Products", "Livestock Inputs", "Livestock", "Agri-Digital" and "International" hubs. At the "Agri-Foods" hub, HRH Crown Prince Moulay El Hassan followed an immersive video on the digitalization o f agriculture, before moving on to the "Agro-Supplies" and "Machinery" hubs. Built at the "Sahrij Souani" square on a 12.4-Ha site, SIAM, which sees the participation of 70 countries and 1,500 exhibitors with 40 conferences and round tables on the program, promises to be an enriching experience for professionals and the general public alike. It offers visitors a wide range of products and the latest generation of agricultural machinery, designed to promote agricultural and livestock production, as well as key sectors of the regional economy, including agri-food and its corollary, the food industry. The 2024 SIAM is marked by the introduction of a new "Agri-Digital" Hub, illustrating the role of digital technologies in the service of a more efficient and resilient agriculture, the significant extension of the "Local Products" Hub, promoting Moroccan agricultural diversity, and the introduction of the E-ticket to improve access conditions. Over the years, SIAM has succeeded in positioning itself as a flagsh ip event for Morocco in general and its agriculture in particular. It has acquired a leading pan-African dimension, and has become the major event for professionals in the sector on a continental scale. On his arrival at the Exhibition, HRH Crown Prince Moulay El Hassan reviewed a detachment of the Royal Guard that paid the honors, before being greeted by the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries, Rural Development and Water and Forests, the wali of the Fez-Meknes region, the president of the Fez-Meknes regional council, the governor of the Meknes prefecture, the president of the Meknes prefectural council, the president of the Meknes communal council, the president of the Mechouar Stinia commune, the president of the Fez-Meknes regional chamber of agriculture, the president and members of the SIAM's board of directors and sponsors, the president of the federation of chambers of agriculture and the president of the Moroccan confederation of agriculture and rural development. Source: Agence Marocaine De Presse