The meeting was organized by the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), Morocco and Mauritania, on the sidelines of the 32nd Session of the Commission on Crime Prevention and Criminal Justice.

Speaking at this side-event, the ambassador, permanent representative of the Kingdom of Morocco in Vienna, Azzeddine Farhane, emphasized the context and relevance of this successful meeting.

"The experiences of female religious advisors, particularly in Mauritania and Morocco, two neighboring countries and partners in North Africa that promote the Maliki Islamic school of moderation and tolerance, deserve to be highlighted and encouraged," he said, detailing the significant contribution of mourchidates to efforts to combat violent extremism, radicalization and hate speech.

The Sahel region has seen a dramatic upsurge in terrorism and violent extremism in recent years, noted Farhane, adding that Morocco and Mauritania have an important role to play in the fight against terrorism and violent extremism in this region, given the "religious influence" that the two partner countries continue to exert in the Sahel.

Morocco's commitment to combating violent extremism, radicalization and hate speech is strongly supported by His Majesty King Mohammed VI, Commander of the Faithful.