The fact that African countries see eye to eye concerning the conditions required for the continent’s development and economic take-off means that there are strong synergies as well as tremendous prospects for complementarity that we can build upon in the most ambitious, forward-looking manner.

Our continent is determined to adopt a proactive approach and set in motion a dynamic process for the emergence of a "new Africa"- an Africa which is proud of its identity; a modern Africa which has washed its hands of ideologies and archaic notions; a bold, enterprising Africa. This determination constitutes, in itself, a call to the international community for an objective approach to development issues in Africa. 

The issue of development in Africa is not related to the nature of the soil or the climate, but rather to deep-rooted economic dependence, weak support, inadequate sources of financing and the lack of a sustainable development model.

As we call on the international community to have a fresh look at our continent - beyond classical patterns and approaches - we African countries are, ourselves, committed to experimenting and implementing new, innovative approaches and developing original, inclusive and mutually beneficial South-South cooperation programs. 

The Kingdom of Morocco has been constantly guided by this great ambition. In its relations with African sister nations, my country has been advocating a comprehensive, integrated approach that can at the same time promote peace and stability, enhance sustainable human development for all African men and women, ensure that the sovereignty and territorial integrity of States are respected and safeguard the cultural and spiritual identity of our peoples. 

With the same resolve, I also seek to ensure that Africa learns to trust Africa, thus enabling our continent to muster all its assets and resources so as to make the most of the opportunities offered by globalization. 

It is increasingly recognized that following the wave of independence in the 1960s, African countries are now giving shape to their economic independence. It is also generally accepted today that Africa is the new pole of global growth. 

Since the year 2000, Africa’s trade with the rest of the world has increased by 200 per cent. By 2050, there will be 2 billion people in Africa, fittingly making our continent home to the world's youngest population. The rate of poverty in Africa has been steadily declining, and regional inter-African trade is booming.

It is important to point out, in this respect, that in addition to the overall, strategic vision of Africa as a whole, the continent’s sub-regional dimension needs to be taken into account when we develop, together, operational tools and mechanisms. This will make it possible for us to invest in regional economic communities as viable, competitive entities.

As well as helping to achieve continental integration, such an approach would enable African countries to foster regional groups and promote the emergence of geo-economic areas that would help them ensure a better position in the global economy and enhance their competitiveness.

As far as the Kingdom of Morocco is concerned, this inter-African process is crucial. Thus, besides its unwavering commitment to ensuring that fresh momentum is given to the Arab Maghreb Union, Morocco has been working for closer ties with several African regional organizations such as the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), the West African Economic and Monetary Union (UEMOA), the Economic Community of Central African States (ECCAS) and the Economic and Monetary Community of Central Africa (CEMAC). 

Morocco is particularly keen to ensure that its relations with all these economic groups are governed by a mutually beneficial, balanced and equitable strategy.

Thanks to its great potential and enormous resources, Africa is emerging as a new pole of global growth. For this trend to be consolidated, however, we need to make sure there is an overhaul of African economies, with a clear shift towards technology-intensive, high value added activities. To rise to this challenge, the financial aspect is of great importance. 

It goes without saying that raising domestic financial resources is essential for the sustainable financing of large investment projects - especially infrastructure - and for making our countries better prepared to meet the post-2015 development objectives. 

It is just as important for the international community to show greater imagination and creativity in devising innovative financing instruments that can effectively support the economic transformation of Africa as well as sustainable development in the continent.

The setting up, by the Kingdom of Morocco, of the "Casablanca Finance City" as a finance hub will promote Africa’s integration into international finance, facilitate inter-African trade and channel global savings towards investment in the continent. More and more international investors see in "Casablanca Finance City" not only a platform for financial transactions but also a gateway to African markets.

We welcome, in particular, the establishment, with the support of the African Development Bank, of the Africa50 Fund, to be hosted by the Casablanca Finance City. This Fund will provide our continent with an innovative mechanism to increase large-scale resource mobilization and to attract private financing for the promotion of development as well as infrastructure projects in Africa. 

In the same way, our efforts to mobilize financial resources for Africa should encourage public-private partnerships and induce the private sector to get involved in high value added sectors, such as renewable energy, agriculture, technology and infrastructure.

Given this great potential and all these assets, it is more relevant than ever to recognize that, today, Africa needs win-win partnerships rather than conditional support - partnerships that can act as a catalyst for mobilizing financial resources, foster regional economic integration and improve Africa’s position in the international value creation chain.

Moreover, the international community’s mobilization to support Africa financially should include other important dimensions and parameters such as good governance, strong institutions, institutional reliability and capacity building, regional and intergenerational cohesion and human resource development. 

Our changing continent brings a message of hope and revival to the international community. By uniting and pooling our energies, we shall rise together to the great challenge of the 21st century: that of a united, stable and prosperous Africa.

By HM King Mohammed VI
King of Morocco.