This session is structured around five main areas of partnership for the period 2023-2027, namely education, sport, higher education and scientific research, culture, youth and communication, energy and water-energy nexus; regionalization and evaluation of public policies, in addition to entrepreneurship, vocational training and social cohesion.

The two parties, which welcomed the excellent level of their relations based on mutual respect and the sharing of common values of peace, dialogue and solidarity, stressed their willingness to strengthen their cooperation.

Speaking at the opening of the PJC proceedings, the director of Cooperation and Cultural Action at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, African Cooperation and Moroccan Expatriates, Ms. Nadia El Hnot stressed the important role that the PJC plays as an instrument of cooperation in strengthening relations between Morocco and the Walloon region, adding that the PJC "has emerged over the years as an essential space for dialogue and exchange" between Moroccan and Belgian partners.

The PJC also aims to focus on a "win-win approach that takes into account the opportunities for developing collaborations between public and private operators," she noted.

She added that it also plans to accompany the reforms and development strategies of Moroccan public services with the ministerial departments as the main actors of change while supporting civil society, cultural, academic and economic actors.

For her part, Ms. Delcomminette said: "Morocco is among the priority countries for which the financial resources mobilized are among the most important".

This 8th session will continue to strengthen bilateral relations and will see the establishment of a strong strategic partnership between the two parties that will enable them to achieve their respective ambitions around common values, she said.

"Despite the economic and health crises, Wallonia, the WB Federation and the French-speaking Brussels government have not hesitated to strengthen the means to carry out our partnership," she said.

She noted that the bilateral partnership program "will guide bilateral relations for the next five years," focusing on supporting and accompanying the strategic reforms of Morocco's new development model.

On the sidelines of the PJC, two projects will be signed, namely the renewal of the partnership charter relating to the program of openness to languages and cultures, as well as the agreement between the two agencies responsible for export AWEX (Walloon Export Agency) and AMDIE (Moroccan Agency for the Development of Investment and Exports) to strengthen exchanges and sharing of best practices in exports and investment promotion.

Co-chaired by the Director of Cooperation and Cultural Action at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, African Cooperation and Moroccan Expatriates, Ms. Nadia El Hnot, and the General Director of Wallonia-Brussels International, Ms. Pascale Delcomminette, the PJC had held its 7th edition in Brussels in 2017.