The adhesion of certain regions of Morocco to the local program of the Open Government Partnership (OGP Local) testifies to the strong and resolute commitment of the Kingdom to promote transparency, citizen participation and accountability, affirmed the administrator Principal of the OGP Local Program, José María Marín. In an interview with M24, the continuous news channel of the MAP Agency, on the sidelines of the first edition of the Forum of African Regions (FORFA), which is being held from September 8 to 10 in Saidia, the Argentinian expert described as a “positive experience” the membership of the regional councils of Tangier-Tetouan-Al Hoceima, Beni Mellal-Khénifra as well as the Municipality of Tetouan in the Local OGP Program. Other Moroccan regions are preparing to join this multilateral initiative, which demonstrates the concrete commitment to respect the principles of transparency, integrity and citizen participation in the management of local public affairs, and to Harness new information and communication technologies to strengthen governance, he stressed, noting that this approach is an important and crucial tool for achieving successful and inclusive local development. For José María Marín, the governance system of open government and sustainable development are “intimately linked” insofar as local actors play a crucial and determining role in development. The Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) are universal and apply to all levels of governance, and to every government, observed the Argentinian expert, noting that without local action, the SDGs cannot be achieved. The SDGs cannot be implemented without action by regional and local governments, inclusive action with the participation of citizens, the private sector and governments, and without the building of strong and innovative public institutions , he specified. For the Argentinian expert, all local governments must appropriate the principles of open government and work with their local partners and civil society to co-create commitments aimed at making collective intelligence a lever for sustainable development, in starting from the needs and aspirations of citizens to implement public policies with a strong direct impact on the daily lives of citizens. The OGP Local program is an essential element to improve democratic practice, to place the demands of citizens at the center of local public action and to make them the object of interest for local actors, he affirmed. Aiming to harness the innovation and momentum demonstrated by local governments and civil society partners around the world, this participatory program is a platform for these governments and civil society to come together to make their governments more open, inclusive and responsive, modeling the values and principles of the Open Government Declaration and processes. The international Open Local Government initiative, seen as a program that brings together governments and civil society leaders to push for greater transparency, participation and inclusion, was launched in 2011 by the United Nations General Assembly. Organized under the High Patronage of HM King Mohammed VI, from September 8 to 10, around the theme “The contribution of regional authorities to sustainable development and the dynamics of integration in Africa”, FORAF aims to contribute to the emergence of a structurally reformed, socially united, economically strong, culturally radiant, environmentally sound, and globally respected Africa. FORAF also aims to be a permanent platform within the UCLG Africa organization for the defense of the contribution of regional governments to the development and integration of Africa, and to the strengthening of their capacities to effectively fulfill their mandates with competence. at the service of the people.
