RABAT, Morocco – On Friday, October 10, 2025, King Mohammed VI delivered a compelling address to Morocco’s parliament, urging the government to accelerate the implementation of development programs designed to create jobs for the youth, enhance education and health sectors, and reduce territorial disparities. The monarch’s speech underscored the urgency of advancing local initiatives, fostering economic growth, and ensuring equitable development across urban and rural areas, while emphasizing zero tolerance for inefficiencies in public investment.
In his address, King Mohammed VI called for a “faster pace and stronger impact” from a new generation of local development programs. He emphasized a balanced approach to development, advocating for a “win-win framework” that bridges the gap between urban and rural regions. “Current priorities include encouraging local initiatives and economic activities, creating employment opportunities for young people, advancing the education and health sectors, and strengthening territorial development,” the king stated. He also stressed the importance of eliminating “all practices that waste time, effort, and resources,” signaling a demand for accountability and efficiency in governance.
The king highlighted the need to prioritize vulnerable regions, particularly mountainous and oasis areas, which face unique challenges. “Social justice and reducing territorial disparities are not empty slogans or temporary priorities that may lose importance depending on circumstances,” he declared. “We consider them a strategic direction that all actors must commit to, and a crucial goal that should guide all development policies.” This commitment to social and territorial equity, he noted, requires the mobilization of all national resources and stakeholders to achieve meaningful progress.
King Mohammed’s speech comes at a time of growing public demand for reform. Just one day prior, on October 9, 2025, the youth-led movement GenZ 212 renewed its call for the dismissal of the government, citing widespread dissatisfaction with corruption and the state of public services. The group organized protests to press for systemic changes, including greater transparency, improved access to education and healthcare, and more robust anti-corruption measures. The timing of the king’s address suggests a response to these mounting pressures, as he sought to reaffirm the monarchy’s commitment to addressing the concerns of Morocco’s youth and marginalized communities.
The king’s focus on job creation for young people aligns with Morocco’s broader economic challenges. With a youth unemployment rate that has hovered around 30% in recent years, according to World Bank data, the need for sustainable employment opportunities is critical. The monarch’s call for local initiatives and economic activities reflects an understanding that grassroots development is essential for tackling this issue. Programs aimed at fostering entrepreneurship, vocational training, and small-scale industries are likely to be prioritized as part of the government’s response to the royal directive.
In the education sector, Morocco has made strides in recent years, with increased investments in school infrastructure and literacy programs. However, challenges such as teacher shortages and disparities in access to quality education between urban and rural areas persist. The king’s emphasis on advancing education signals a push for reforms that could include modernizing curricula, improving teacher training, and expanding access to digital learning tools, particularly in underserved regions.
Similarly, the health sector remains a critical area of focus. Morocco’s healthcare system has faced strain, particularly in rural areas where access to medical facilities and professionals is limited. The COVID-19 pandemic exposed vulnerabilities in the system, prompting the government to launch initiatives to expand hospital capacity and improve primary care. King Mohammed’s call for progress in this sector suggests an expectation for accelerated reforms, potentially including increased funding for healthcare infrastructure and programs to address public health disparities.
The king’s remarks on territorial development and social justice resonate deeply in a country marked by geographic and economic divides. Mountainous regions, such as the Atlas and Rif ranges, and oasis areas in the south face unique environmental and economic challenges, including water scarcity and limited infrastructure. By prioritizing these areas, the king is signaling a commitment to inclusive growth that ensures no region is left behind. This approach aligns with Morocco’s broader development goals, including the New Development Model launched in 2021, which aims to reduce inequalities and promote sustainable growth.
King Mohammed’s insistence on accountability in public investment reflects ongoing concerns about inefficiencies and corruption in public administration. He explicitly stated that he “would not tolerate any negligence in the effectiveness and productivity of public investment,” a message likely aimed at both government officials and the public. This stance may also serve as a response to the demands of groups like GenZ 212, who have criticized the government for failing to address systemic corruption.
The youth movement’s protests highlight a broader sentiment of frustration among Morocco’s younger generation, who are increasingly vocal about their desire for change. GenZ 212’s call for the government’s dismissal underscores the challenges facing Prime Minister Aziz Akhannouch’s administration, which has been in power since 2021. The movement’s demands for better public services and anti-corruption measures echo the priorities outlined in the king’s speech, suggesting a convergence of goals between the monarchy and civil society, even if their approaches differ.
As Morocco navigates these challenges, the king’s speech sets a clear directive for the government to act swiftly and decisively. The emphasis on job creation, education, health, and territorial equity reflects a comprehensive vision for Morocco’s future, one that seeks to balance economic growth with social justice. However, the success of these initiatives will depend on the government’s ability to translate the king’s vision into tangible outcomes, particularly in the face of public skepticism and demands for accountability.
The coming months will be critical as the government works to implement these development programs. With the king’s call for action reverberating across the nation, and youth movements like GenZ 212 keeping pressure on the government, Morocco stands at a pivotal moment in its pursuit of inclusive and sustainable development. The monarchy’s leadership, combined with the energy of its youth, could pave the way for meaningful progress, provided that the government can deliver on its promises and address the root causes of public discontent.
