As part of the national dynamic aimed at establishing a more inclusive and equitable development model, Ms. Zakia Driouch, Secretary of State to the Minister of Agriculture, Maritime Fisheries, Rural Development, and Water and Forests in charge of Maritime Fisheries, participated in the fifth National Conference on the Social and Solidarity Economy, held at Mohammed VI Polytechnic University in Benguerir on Tuesday, June 17, 2025.
In a speech delivered on behalf of Mr. Ahmed Bouari, Minister of Agriculture, Maritime Fisheries, Rural Development, and Water and Forests, and in the presence of Prime Minister Mr. Aziz Akhannouch, the Secretary of State emphasized the strategic importance of this national event in consolidating a more equitable and inclusive development model, based on the principles of solidarity, social justice, and participatory democracy. She stressed that the social and solidarity economy represents a genuine embodiment of a human-centered economy, one that strengthens social cohesion and ensures the sustainable use of natural resources.
In this context, Ms. Zakia Driouch highlighted that the social and solidarity economy is a key sector in the Kingdom’s development path, given its vital role in combating poverty and vulnerability by providing alternative employment opportunities and promoting the socio-economic integration of large segments of the population, particularly women and youth. She also underscored the importance of supporting social entrepreneurship and enhancing the dynamism of the cooperative fabric, whether in the agricultural or maritime sectors. In this regard, she praised the role played by the strategies adopted in agriculture and fisheries, which not only aim to modernize the sector and enhance local products but also promote economic empowerment and social inclusion for rural and coastal communities.
Ms. Driouch reaffirmed the engagement of the maritime fisheries sector in this development dynamic, noting its vital contribution to the livelihoods of thousands of families along the national coastline and its robust network of active cooperatives—849 in total—with tangible social impact. In this regard, several major initiatives have been launched, focusing primarily on strengthening cooperative organization through networking, supporting the marketing of seafood products via short and fair distribution channels, and promoting the role of women across various segments of the value chain—as fishers, processing workers, marketers, or net weavers.
In conclusion, Ms. Zakia Driouch stressed that the effectiveness of these initiatives depends on firmly rooting the logic of the social and solidarity economy, placing local—particularly coastal—communities at the center of the development process. She called for intensified coordination among public and private stakeholders, civil society, and academic institutions to move from scattered initiatives to an integrated and comprehensive public policy. She also reaffirmed the commitment of the State Secretariat in charge of maritime fisheries to support this approach by establishing a solidarity-based blue economy, which offers promising employment prospects, upholds the values of dignity, and safeguards marine resources.
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