The minister, who was speaking via videconference, underlined that the health crisis linked to Covid-19, which hit the world in 2020, had "heavy repercussions at all levels", but its consequences were particularly "dramatic" for women and girls.

Amzazi, who welcomed the creation of the "Francophonie Solidarity Fund for Women" and congratulated the Secretary General Louise Mushikiwabo for all the actions carried out to promote gender equality, recalled that Morocco launched, in February 2020, the "Integrated National Program for the Economic Empowerment of Women by 2030".

The implementation of this program is based on legislative and institutional reform, gender-sensitive incentives and policies, digitization and the change of stereotypes, he explained, recalling, in this regard, the message sent from HM King Mohammed VI to the participants in the second edition of the annual "Women in Africa" Initiative Summit, the first international platform meant to support African women leaders with high potential, held in 2018 in Marrakech.

In this message, the Sovereign underlined the need to make efforts to ensure women - especially those from disadvantaged background - can benefit from innovative financing mechanisms and to facilitate their access to safe, sustainable technology, adding that
platforms for consultation and decision-making should be set up at the local and national levels, using a participatory approach.

The minister noted that the Moroccan government, aware that education contributes to the implementation of the 17 sustainable development goals and to the foundation of just and inclusive societies, has not ceased to make considerable efforts to improve the governance and quality of its education system.

"As such, Morocco congratulates the OIF for its investigation report on public policies in favor of youth in the French-speaking world and consulted it, with great interest", he added.

By adopting a new integrated policy dedicated to young people in 2019, Morocco has made them the center of its new economic development model, the minister pointed out.

The Kingdom, faithful to its attachment to the values of multilateralism, solidarity and dialogue, adopted the resolution on "living together in times of pandemic", he said, while reiterating Morocco's mobilization for the promotion of multilingualism as a core value that promotes multiculturalism, inclusion and peace.

Due to the new coronavirus pandemic, the ministerial meeting, the second most important forum in La Francophonie after the Summit of Heads of State and Government, is being held on November 24 and 25 by videoconference.

The ministers will notably examine the challenges of the Covid-19 crisis for the Francophonie, through a resolution on "Living together during the pandemic and in the post-Covid world".

They will also have to adopt a “new economic strategy for La Francophonie” and prepare for the Summit of the fiftieth anniversary of La Francophonie to be held in Djerba, Tunisia, in November 2021.