Latest news with #MarrakechDeclaration
Maroc
10 hours ago
- Politics
- Maroc
HRC: Morocco Calls for Placing Human Rights at Heart of Anti-corruption Efforts
Morocco's Ambassador and Permanent Representative to the United Nations Office in Geneva, Omar Zniber, called on Friday for placing human rights at the heart of all anti-corruption initiatives. "A human rights-based approach remains the cornerstone of any effective anti-corruption strategy," Zniber stated at the opening of a high-level side event on "Human Rights and Anti-Corruption in Practice," held on the sidelines of the 59th session of the UN Human Rights Council (HRC) in Geneva. "From Morocco's perspective, prevention must lie at the center of all efforts to eliminate this scourge from our societies," he noted at the event held by the core group behind the resolution on "The Negative Impact of Corruption on the Enjoyment of Human Rights." The diplomat underlined that the Marrakech Declaration, adopted in 2011, remains a "key roadmap" for states aiming to align anti-corruption efforts with human rights objectives. He further urged stronger synergy between the HRC's work and the monitoring of the declaration's implementation. He also highlighted Morocco's "significant progress" in the fight against corruption as part of its national effort to promote and protect human rights. He cited Morocco's 2011 Constitution, which introduced laws penalizing conflicts of interest, insider trading, and financial crimes, alongside the establishment of the National Authority for Integrity, Prevention, and Anti-Corruption. Reflecting on the impact of corruption, the diplomat warned that it "undermines social cohesion, erodes trust in public institutions, exacerbates inequality, and fosters conditions for the most serious human rights violations." "Effective policies to prevent and combat corruption are essential to achieving the Sustainable Development Goals by 2030," he said, adding that "States carry the primary responsibility to prevent and remedy human rights violations arising from corruption." This fundamental obligation was highlighted by the founding report of the Human Rights Council Advisory Committee in 2015, whose recommendations have since been incorporated into the Council's biannual resolution presented by Morocco on behalf of the core group, which also includes Argentina, Austria, Brazil, Ethiopia, Indonesia, Poland, the United Kingdom, and Ecuador, the diplomat recalled. This year's resolution builds on progress made since 2015, aiming to clarify states' procedural and substantive obligations in upholding human rights within anti-corruption frameworks. The side event was co-organized by the resolution's sponsors, the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights, Transparency International, and the UNCAC Coalition. It sought to foster stronger links between the implementation of the UN Convention against Corruption and international human rights mechanisms, offering practical tools and sharing experiences to help bridge the gap between anti-corruption efforts and human rights protection. MAP: 19 June 2025
Ya Biladi
2 days ago
- Politics
- Ya Biladi
Morocco attends parliamentary conference on interfaith dialogue
The second Parliamentary Conference on Interfaith Dialogue opened Thursday in Rome under the theme «Building Trust and Inspiring Hope to Shape Our Common Future», with Morocco taking part. The Moroccan delegation, representing the House of Representatives within the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU), is led by Ahmed Touizi of the Authenticity and Modernity Party (PAM). It also includes Mustapha Raddad from the National Rally of Independents (RNI), Ahmed El Aaleme from the Istiqlalien Group of Unity and Egalitarianism, and Khaddouj Slassi from the Socialist Group (Ittihadi Opposition). The conference brings together parliamentary leaders and members, alongside representatives of various faiths, governments, UN bodies, international organizations, faith-based groups, civil society, and academic experts. This global forum builds on the momentum of the inaugural Parliamentary Conference on Interfaith Dialogue, held in June 2023 in Marrakech. That event culminated in the Marrakech Declaration, which underscored the importance of interfaith dialogue as a key tool for fostering inclusion, peaceful coexistence, and respect for the rule of law. The Rome conference—organized by the IPU and the Italian Parliament in partnership with Religions for Peace—features several thematic sessions. Participants will focus on implementing the main recommendations of the Marrakech Declaration and outlining strategies for future joint action.
Business Standard
13-06-2025
- Business Standard
Steelbird Helmets' launches 'Mission Save Lives 2.0 India' at National Summit on VRU and Road Safety
VMPL New Delhi [India], June 13: In a landmark move to address India's alarming road safety crisis, Mr. Rajeev Kapur, Managing Director of Steelbird Helmets, launched "Mission Save Lives 2.0 India" at the National Summit on Vulnerable Road Users (VRUs) and Road Safety. The summit, designed to align with the objectives of the Marrakech Declaration in India's context, brought together key stakeholders including government officials, researchers, industry experts, and road safety advocates to collectively chart a safer path forward. Mission Save Lives 2.0 India was launched against the backdrop of this summit, which focused on critical areas such as the VRU Safety Crisis and Required Solutions in India, Safe Road Design: Need of the Hour, the Role of Government, Media, NGOs, and Private Sectors on Road Safety, and Safer Mobility & Transportation. During the summit the eminent speakers incudes Mr. Mitra Sen Verma, Scientist-E and Director, Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS), Government of India; Prof. Manoranjan Parida, Director, CSIR-Central Road Research Institute; and Dr. Mukti Advani, Senior Principal Scientist, CSIR-Central Road Research Institute. India recorded approximately 1.72 lakh road fatalities and 4.63 lakh injuries in 2023, with VRUs--primarily two-wheeler riders and pedestrians--bearing the brunt. Two-wheeler users alone accounted for nearly 44.8% of all deaths (around 77,000), with an estimated 54,000 fatalities linked directly to the non-use of helmets. Pedestrians contributed to nearly 20% of fatalities (approximately 35,000 deaths). Together, these two groups represented around 65% of total road fatalities, highlighting the urgent need for targeted interventions. "Every day, India loses lives that could be saved by simply wearing a real BIS-certified helmet," Mr. Kapur said at the summit. "Mission Save Lives 2.0 India is a national commitment to make these helmets accessible, affordable, and mandatory for every rider and pillion passenger, including children." The initiative proposes a phased, nationwide implementation beginning in Tier 1 cities in 2028, expanding to Tier 2 cities by 2029, and reaching Tier 3 cities and rural areas by January 2031. The mission aims to systematically tackle helmet non-compliance by region while ensuring manufacturers can scale production to meet the rising demand. A key pillar of the mission is the elimination of counterfeit helmets, a significant threat to road safety. The presentation revealed that 95% of BIS license holders are currently flooding the market with substandard helmets falsely bearing the ISI mark. These helmets, often sold at prices as low as ₹110, fail to meet the IS 4151:2015 safety standards, putting countless lives at risk. Mission Save Lives 2.0 India also calls for stringent licensing reforms--real-time verification and periodic audits of BIS license holders, targeted raids, and strict legal enforcement to dismantle the fake helmet ecosystem. Additionally, every helmet manufacturer must maintain a fully equipped, in-house BIS-approved testing laboratory to ensure consistent compliance with national safety standards. Children's safety features prominently in the plan, with the introduction of lightweight, child-specific helmets and safety harnesses to protect young pillion passengers. This initiative is grounded in international best practices, recommending maximum helmet weights tailored to different age groups, from 0.72 kg for one-year-olds to 1.17 kg for six-year-olds, ensuring comfort and protection. The mission also emphasizes the need for a fourfold increase in helmet manufacturing capacity to meet the projected annual demand of over 130 million BIS-certified helmets. This expansion, requiring ₹6,000 crore in investments and a workforce of 80,000, underscores the scale of transformation needed to achieve universal compliance. Currently, helmets attract an 18% GST, categorizing them as non-essential items. The mission advocates for reducing GST to 12% and reclassifying helmets as essential, life-saving equipment, making them more affordable, especially for price-sensitive buyers. The plan further mandates that all two-wheeler manufacturers supply one BIS certified helmet immediately and two BIS-certified helmets--one for the rider and one for the pillion--effective January 2027, ensuring that buyers receive certified safety gear at the point of sale. With a robust monitoring system--annual audits by the National Crime Records Bureau and the Ministry of Road Transport & Highways, digital dashboards, and frequent usage surveys--Mission Save Lives 2.0 India aims to ensure data-driven policy adjustments and transparent tracking of progress towards the 50% fatality reduction goal by 2031. "We owe it to every two-wheeler rider and their families to create safer roads," Mr. Kapur concluded. "A real helmet takes just seconds to wear but can save a lifetime." With decisive leadership, industry collaboration, and community participation, Mission Save Lives 2.0 India represents a transformative step towards safer roads across the nation.
Morocco World
20-05-2025
- Automotive
- Morocco World
Morocco to Display Transportation Resilience at Leipzig Global Summit
Rabat — Morocco is participating in the World Summit of the International Transport Forum (ITF) in Leipzig, Germany, to be held on May 21-23. A delegation from Morocco's Ministry of Transport and Logistics is set to attend the forum, which focuses on making transportation networks more resilient during global crises. 'Transport Resilience in the Face of Global Shocks' serves as the central theme for this year's summit, with discussions exploring how governments and operators can maintain transportation networks during major disruptions like pandemics, natural disasters, cyberattacks, and geopolitical tensions. Morocco brings valuable experience to the summit, recently hosting the 4th World Ministerial Conference on Road Safety in Marrakech, which led to the formulation of the Marrakech Declaration – a joint agreement aiming to cut road deaths in half by 2030. The Marrakech Declaration also establishes concrete measures for accelerating the implementation of the Global Plan for the Decade of Action for Road Safety 2021-2030. Moroccan officials will present the progress made since the creation of the Marrakech Declaration, as well as display national initiatives like the creation of the National Road Safety Agency (Narsa), established to coordinate the country's road safety and resilience efforts. The Leipzig event will bring together representatives from 69 member countries under Chilean leadership, with a program that tackles transportation challenges during disruptions from three perspectives: users, transport providers, and governance or financing stakeholders. Topics include securing infrastructure, maintaining operations during disruptions, and implementing policies that strengthen the sector's resilience. As a key event for global mobility policies, the ITF Summit attracts high-level government officials alongside transportation industry leaders and civil society representatives. The summit also features side events and press conferences, giving participating countries opportunities to share their transportation achievements and priorities on the global stage.
Morocco World
20-02-2025
- Automotive
- Morocco World
Marrakech Road Safety Conference Ratifies Groundbreaking Declaration
Doha – The 4th Global Ministerial Conference on Road Safety concluded Thursday in Marrakech with the adoption of a comprehensive declaration aimed at strengthening international commitment to safer roads. The three-day event, held from February 18-20, brought together over 3,000 participants from more than 100 delegations, including 52 African countries. Hosted by the Government of Morocco and the World Health Organization, with the theme of 'Commit to Life,' the summit marked Morocco's position as the first African and Arab country to host this global gathering. 'This declaration is the fruit of a collaborative effort, reflecting the voices and contributions of all stakeholders,' Transport and Logistics Minister Abdessamad Kayouh said during Thursday's closing session. 'It's not merely a declaration of intent, but a call to action, a roadmap for achieving significant progress in road safety worldwide.' The Marrakech Declaration establishes concrete measures for accelerating the implementation of the Global Plan for the Decade of Action for Road Safety 2021-2030. 'The declaration urges member states and relevant actors to accelerate and intensify efforts to implement the global plan, making road safety a political priority and ensuring its relevance as a catalyst for the development agenda,' Kayouh stated. 'We have carefully integrated feedback received to ensure it truly represents everyone involved in road safety: governments, cities, civil society, academia, private sector, and most importantly, victims and their families, who remind us of the human cost behind each statistic and hold us accountable.' Jean Todt, UN Secretary-General's Special Envoy for Road Safety, pointed out the importance of individual responsibility. 'Governments have a role to play, but individual responsibility is equally crucial,' he argued. 'Daily actions make the difference in road safety, such as wearing helmets, using seat belts, and avoiding drunk driving.' Said Dahdah, Director of the World Bank's Global Road Safety Facility, asserted that 'multilateral development banks plan to increase road safety funding to $10 billion over the next decade.' He affirmed readiness to expand funding if member states deem it necessary. Strengthening international cooperation Addressing Morocco's role, Omar Hilale, Morocco's Permanent Representative to the UN, said on Wednesday: 'Morocco is the first African and Arab country to host this major conclave, sending a signal of support to Africa, especially since nearly 25% of global accidents occur on the continent.' He added that the declaration 'is not an end in itself, but a step toward greater international mobilization for road safety as one of the Sustainable Development Goals.' The declaration encourages member states to establish interministerial coordination mechanisms between health, transport, education, infrastructure, interior, and environment ministries to address cross-cutting issues impacting road safety sectors. The conference introduced significant initiatives, including the Mohammed VI International Road Safety Prize. International Road Federation President Dimitris Mandalozis affirmed that 'any action aimed at increasing public awareness of road safety importance and reducing accidents can only move in the right direction.' Minister Kayouh announced a new safety measure: 'Aware of the growing presence of two and three-wheeled vehicles on Moroccan roads, I commit to ensuring high-quality helmets complying with UN safety standards for all new buyers. Each purchase will include two certified helmets.' A worldwide concern WHO's latest report reveals concerning statistics about the Decade of Action's progress. Only six countries have legal frameworks fully aligned with WHO best practices on risk factors, while 140 countries have laws addressing at least one risk factor. Ten countries achieved the first decade's goals by reducing deaths by 50%, while 35 countries achieved reductions between 30% and 49% from 2010 to 2021. Morocco recorded a 13% reduction during this period. The declaration calls for specific actions. 'Financial actors such as banks, investors, insurance companies, and auditors must explicitly require entities to actively address road safety in their value chains as a prerequisite for financial participation at reasonable financing rates,' the document states. On the horizon, Morocco will convene a meeting in 2026 to assess progress. 'This follow-up will measure how far the international community has advanced in adopting the Marrakech Declaration,' Hilale said. For historical context, this fourth edition follows previous conferences in Moscow (2009), Brasilia (2015), and Stockholm (2020). The WHO has reported a slight decrease in annual road accident deaths from 1.35 million to 1.2 million, representing a 5% reduction in deaths and a 16% reduction in deaths per 100,000 population between 2010 and 2021. Read also: Morocco Inks New Agreement to Support Palestine in Transport, Logistics Tags: Global Road SafetyInternational PolicyMarrakech Declaration
