Morocco and Mauritania discussed strengthening bilateral cooperation in decentralization and land-use planning during meetings held recently in Nouakchott between governmental officials.
Talks covered prospects of developing a roadmap designed to consolidate ties between both countries’ local authorities in local governance, such as public services, urban development, and land-use planning.
In a statement to MAP, the president of the “Association des Régions”, Mbarka Bouaida, indicated that talks provided an opportunity to hail the brotherly, close ties between the two countries under the leadership of King Mohammed VI, and President Mohamed Ould Cheikh Ghazouani, and to reaffirm the role of decentralization as a method of managing territorial affairs in both countries.
Bouaida also noted that both parties have committed to boosting cooperation in domestic economic growth, innovation as well as the promotion of cultural exchanges and the quality of training.
She also noted that the two delegations discussed the arrangements enabling Mauritanian local authorities to benefit from the financial and technical support of the “African Support Fund for International Decentralized Cooperation of Local Authorities.”
“It’s a Moroccan initiative that has been highly successful among African local authorities,” she said, as it directly contributes to the sustainable and integrated development of the beneficiary communities and places particular emphasis on projects and activities that have a direct impact on the local African population.
