Romanian delegation explores Morocco’s local development model in Dakhla

A delegation from the Association of Romanian Communes (ACoR) visited Dakhla Tuesday to study Morocco’s approach to local development, examining several development programs implemented by elected bodies in the Dakhla-Oued Eddahab region.

The visit, organized by the Moroccan Association of Presidents of Prefecture and Provincial Councils (AMPCPP) in partnership with the Oued Eddahab Provincial Council, aims to strengthen decentralized cooperation and enhance institutional exchanges between Moroccan and foreign territorial communities.

The Romanian delegation attended a roundtable themed “Advanced Regionalization in Morocco and Territorial Development Programs,” that was marked by presentations on three key development initiatives operating at regional, provincial, and communal levels. These included the Regional Development Program for Dakhla-Oued Eddahab and the Provincial Development Program for Oued Eddahab.

Both programs seek to promote integrated territorial development through enhanced territorial attractiveness, strengthened local economy, environmental sustainability, and human capital development, utilizing participatory approaches that engage various stakeholders. The delegation also learned about Dakhla’s Communal Action Plan, which encompasses structural projects for infrastructure modernization, social and cultural service improvements, and natural and urban heritage valorization.

ACoR President Emil Drăghici emphasized that Dakhla-Oued Eddahab’s local initiatives align with sustainable development objectives, highlighting cooperation prospects between the two countries. AMPCPP President Abdelaziz Derouiche noted the initiative fits within the association’s strategy to diversify international partnerships, particularly with Balkan countries within the European Union framework.

The Romanian delegation members praised Morocco’s territorial governance model and advocated for developing academic and cultural cooperation between the two nations.
The visit concluded with the signing of a memorandum of understanding between the Oued Eddahab Provincial Council and Romania’s Dobrești commune, establishing frameworks for decentralized cooperation and expertise exchange between the two communities.