Latest news with #Farhane
Morocco World
26-06-2025
- Science
- Morocco World
Morocco Promotes Inclusive Space Development at UN Committee
At the 68th session of the UN Committee on the Peaceful Uses of Outer Space (COPUOS) in Vienna, Morocco called for deeper international and regional cooperation to ensure space technologies benefit all nations, especially developing countries. Addressing delegates, Morocco's ambassador to the United Nations Office in Vienna, Azzeddine Farhane, stressed that collective action is the most effective way to harness the full potential of outer space. He argued that cooperation in space science, technology transfer , and capacity building is essential for bridging global gaps and advancing peaceful space use. Morocco reaffirmed its commitment to strengthening multilateral frameworks and voiced strong support for the upcoming UNISPACE IV conference, which it sees as a timely platform to address emerging challenges in the global space landscape. Farhane also pointed to Morocco's active role in regional cooperation, particularly through the African Space Agency and the African Space Council. He emphasized that partnerships across the continent are central to Morocco's national strategy, with numerous bilateral and international agreements already in place to support African nations in building space expertise. A key part of this effort is the African Regional Center for Space Science and Technology Education in French (CRASTE-LF), based in Rabat. Since 2000, the center has trained specialists from across Francophone Africa; in 2024 alone, it enrolled 89 students from 10 countries in its master's programs in space science and technology. Looking ahead, Morocco plans to expand its educational and training efforts by offering short courses and workshops on space law and policy through CRASTE-LF. It also aims to foster cross-continental partnerships through events like the June 27 side event, co-hosted with the United Nations Office for Outer Space Affairs (UNOOSA), titled Celebrating African Space Development: Towards a Sustainable and Inclusive Global Space Sector. Morocco's ambassador further emphasized the strategic importance of its national satellite program, including the Mohammed VI A and B satellites, launched in 2017, 2018. These advanced Earth observation satellites orbit the planet at around 700 kilometers above ground and capture high-resolution images that support everything from climate monitoring and agricultural planning to urban development, border surveillance, and disaster risk management. Their data is already being used by Moroccan ministries and public agencies to make more informed decisions—whether mapping water resources, tracking land use, or responding to natural hazards. The ambassador stressed that these satellites are not just technological achievements, but powerful tools that serve both public and private interests and drive sustainable growth at home and across the African continent.
Morocco World
15-03-2025
- Politics
- Morocco World
Morocco Co-leads UN Resolution on Drug Impact on Environment
Doha – The 68th session of the United Nations Commission on Narcotic Drugs (CND) in Vienna adopted on Friday a groundbreaking resolution on the environmental impact of illicit drug-related activities. The first-of-its-kind resolution, titled 'Combating the Impact of Illicit Drug-Related Activities on the Environment,' represents a collaborative effort between Morocco, France, and Brazil. 'This resolution encourages member states to incorporate environmental protection into their drug policies and to develop and implement international strategies to address the environmental impact of illicit drug-related activities,' said Azzeddine Farhane, Morocco's Permanent Representative to the United Nations in Vienna. The resolution builds upon the 2019 ministerial declaration and the 2024 mid-term review, which acknowledged the need to combat both root causes and harmful effects of illicit drug activities on the environment. It also draws from the outcome document of the 30th special session of the General Assembly in 2016, where member states reaffirmed 'the importance of environmental protection in the context of combating illicit drug plant cultivation and other drug-related activities.' The initiative has received support from multiple countries and will continue through 2029, when the Commission will review progress on international drug policy commitments. Read also: UN Adopts Morocco's Resolution on Sustainable Tourism and Poverty Eradication The resolution takes into account recent research by the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), particularly findings from the 2022, 2023, and 2024 World Drug Reports on direct and indirect environmental impacts. Morocco's holistic anti-drug strategy has yielded remarkable results. Moroccan security services seized 1,777 tons of cannabis resin, 1,222 tons of cannabis herb, 6.48 tons of cocaine, 38 kg of heroin, and 8,053,904 psychotropic tablets between 2020 and 2024. 'Morocco has made cooperation a key lever in its drug trafficking strategy,' Farhane said at the session, which ran from March 10-14. 'This cooperation translates into intelligence sharing, operational cooperation, and expertise sharing with African countries, particularly Sahel countries, in border surveillance, strategic intelligence exchange, and law enforcement capacity building,' he added. The country recently adopted a new National Plan for Prevention and Management of Addictive Disorders 2024-2030, aiming to reduce addiction-related mortality and morbidity while ensuring universal access to prevention and quality treatment. 'We must, more than ever, redouble efforts and renew international consensus to present a united front against pressing threats through strengthened sub-regional, regional, and international cooperation,' Farhane asserted, noting the growing concerns about synthetic drugs and new psychoactive substances. The Commission on Narcotic Drugs serves as a UN decision-making body directing international action on drugs and crime, functioning under the Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) and governing the UNODC. Its decisions and resolutions provide guidelines for member states and the UNODC. Tags: drug traffickingun resolutions
