Young innovators gain momentum as Morocco-Gulf forum concludes in Casablanca
The three-day Morocco-Gulf Youth Economic Empowerment Forum wrapped up in Casablanca with a unanimous call to bolster funding mechanisms tailored to young entrepreneurs, particularly in green, blue, and digital sectors.
The event, jointly organized by Morocco’s Ministry of Youth, Culture, and Communication and the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) Secretariat General, brought together over 100 participants, including young leaders, institutional officials, entrepreneurs, and experts from Morocco and GCC nations.
Empowering youth as a driver for sustainable growth
Ahmed Aboukrim, Chair of the Forum’s Scientific Committee, highlighted the pivotal role of youth economic and social empowerment in addressing economic shifts, technological advancements, and sustainable development goals. He emphasized the need for integrated strategies combining education, employability, entrepreneurship, innovation, and financing to enhance national competitiveness.
Four key sectors to propel youth-led progress
The workshops identified four high-impact sectors for youth-driven economic empowerment:
- Green economy – Sustainable business models and circular economy practices.
- Blue economy – Innovative solutions for water resource management and marine sustainability.
- Digital transformation – Artificial intelligence, tech-driven entrepreneurship, and digital inclusion.
- Renewable energy – Clean energy projects, including green hydrogen initiatives.
Concrete recommendations for regional collaboration
Key proposals include:
- Establishing dedicated funds to finance youth-led innovations in priority sectors.
- Launching joint research and training programs to strengthen expertise.
- Creating specialized incubators to nurture startup ecosystems.
- Developing unified metrics to track job creation, innovation, and sustainability outcomes.
Participants underscored the strategic synergy between Morocco and GCC countries, leveraging shared resources, investment capacity, and technological know-how to foster a regional model of sustainable, knowledge-based growth.
UAE delegation lauds Morocco’s hospitality and vision
Salma Khalifa Al Ghafli, Head of the UAE delegation, praised Morocco’s exceptional organization and warm reception, stressing the deep fraternal ties binding the two regions. She described the Forum as a vital platform for exchanging best practices and forging partnerships that invest in youth—a direct investment in the future of nations.
The closing ceremony honored heads of GCC delegations and diplomatic representatives for their contributions to the forum’s success and their commitment to strengthening Morocco-GCC cooperation in youth development and economic progress.