Morocco’s Benalilou Elected First Vice-President of International Ombudsman Institute

In a significant development for international governance, Mohamed Benalilou, the Ombudsman of the Kingdom of Morocco, has been elected as the first vice president of the International Ombudsman Institute (IOI). The election took place last week at the headquarters of the General Secretariat of the Institute in Vienna, with participation from ombudsman institutions worldwide.

Benalilou’s victory was resounding as the candidate secured 70 votes, surpassing by far competitors from the United States and South Africa, who garnered 44 votes each, and New Zealand with 40 votes.

This historic achievement marks the first time a representative from Morocco assumes a leadership position within the IOI, which highlights the Kingdom’s growing influence on the global stage. The Office of the Mediator of the Kingdom emphasized that Benalilou’s election reaffirms Morocco’s esteemed position in international forums.

Following his election, Benalilou becomes a member of the Bureau of the Council of the International Ombudsman Institute, further cementing Morocco’s role in shaping global governance policies.

The inauguration of the new members will coincide with the 13th World Conference in The Hague, Netherlands, commencing on May 12, 2024. This gathering of ombudsman institutions from around the world will set the stage for collaborative efforts towards enhancing governance practices and capacity building.

Established in 1978, the International Ombudsman Institute (IOI) serves as the primary platform for over 200 ombudsman institutions across six regions: Africa, Asia, Australia and the Pacific, Europe, the Caribbean and Latin America, and North America. The IOI’s mission focuses on promoting good governance through training, research, and regional grants to support impactful projects.