Morocco to Host Clinton Global Initiative's First Middle East & Africa Conference

WASHINGTON, Sept. 25, 2014 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ (MACP) — In remarks delivered September 24 at the closing session of this year's Clinton Global Initiative (CGI) Annual Meeting, former US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton announced that Morocco will host the first iteration of CGI Middle East & Africa in the spring of 2015.

"These are regions in the midst of dramatic changes," said Secretary Clinton. "Yes, they have daunting challenges, but also significant opportunities; and we're looking forward to holding this meeting in Morocco, which is such a vital hub for economic and cultural exchange."

"I want to thank the government of Morocco and the private sector and not-for-profit sector in Morocco for welcoming us and for its hospitality," she added.

Citing the 118 commitments totaling more than half a billion dollars that were made over the course of CGI Asia in 2008 and CGI Latin America in 2013, Secretary Clinton noted "what we can achieve when we take the show on the road and reach new partners." Established in 2005 by President Bill Clinton, the Clinton Global Initiative, an initiative of the Clinton Foundation, convenes global leaders to create and implement innovative solutions to the world's most pressing challenges.

"That Morocco was selected to host CGI's first-ever Middle East & Africa conference speaks to Morocco's regional leadership, stability, and strong private and public sector actors that are ready and willing to take on the leading issues of the day," said former US Ambassador to Morocco Edward M. Gabriel.

In her closing remarks, Secretary Clinton outlined "four priority areas based on [CGI's] assessments that are ripe for innovation and activism": energy poverty, water scarcity, food insecurity, and the Ebola outbreak in West Africa. Morocco already boasts a strong record in these areas, with a diversified energy plan that aims to draw 42 percent of power consumption from renewable sources by 2020; a recently-released water treatment plan that will increase water reserves; ongoing efforts to leverage the country's phosphate resources—an important component of fertilizer—to boost food security; and continued flights to Ebola-stricken countries to ensure the transport of much-needed aid.

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SOURCE Moroccan American Center for Policy