The High-Level Ministerial Conference on Middle-Income Countries (MICs), held in Rabat, will promote collective efforts to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), United Nations Deputy Secretary-General Amina J. Mohammed said on Monday.

In a statement to the press following her talks with Minister of Foreign Affairs, African Cooperation and Moroccan Expatriates, Nasser Bourita, J. Mohammed welcomed that "efforts in favor of MICs in the areas of technology and its financing, food systems and energy are being deployed outside the UN headquarters in New York".

"There is no better host of such an important event than Morocco, which recognizes the key role of MICs as a driver of the success of the Sustainable Development Goals by 2030,” she underlined.

To fulfill this role, numerous investments are necessary for middle-income countries, both in terms of strengthening skills and promoting young populations and women, the UN official stressed.

J. Mohammed also underlined the importance of "internationally promoting the concrete discussions held within the framework of this conference".

The High-Level Ministerial Conference on Middle-Income Countries is being held on Monday and Tuesday in Rabat, with the participation of 32 countries, including many represented at ministerial level, and 23 United Nations development agencies and other international and regional institutions.

Under the theme "Solutions to Address Development Challenges of Middle-Income Countries in a Changing World", this high-level Ministerial Conference is organized on the initiative of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, African Cooperation and Moroccan Expatriates, jointly with the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa and the United Nations Development Programme.