Dublin: Senior Irish Figures “Deeply Impressed” by the Remarkable Development in Morocco’s Southern Provinces
Several prominent Irish personalities expressed, on Thursday in Dublin, that they were “deeply impressed” by the remarkable development witnessed in Morocco’s southern provinces.
Speaking at a reception hosted by the Ambassador of Morocco to Ireland to mark the 50th anniversary of the Glorious Green March, former Minister of Social and Family Affairs Mary Flaherty praised the impressive progress she personally observed in the region, particularly in infrastructure, construction, housing, and healthcare.
Flaherty, who currently serves as President of the Irish Association of Former Parliamentarians, had recently led an official delegation of former ministers on a visit to Morocco (September 22–29), focusing on the southern provinces. She said the group was able to witness firsthand the active involvement of citizens in local governance and their effective participation in regional development.
“The Moroccan experience in territorial governance is an inspiring model,” she affirmed, noting that before the delegation’s visit, “we had only two friends of Morocco, but by the end, all members had become ones.”
During their stay, Flaherty and her delegation visited key sites such as the Dakhla desalination plant and its port, where they met and exchanged with local stakeholders.
Journalist Neil Elworthy of the KELT-TEC media and communications group, who also spent time in Laâyoune and Dakhla for professional purposes, shared his impressions of the trip and the dynamic development he observed on the ground.
Franco-Irish entrepreneur Catherine Etienne, head of the Ireland-based water sports agency Pure Magic, also highlighted the “spectacular transformation” Dakhla has undergone over the years.
Etienne, who has been bringing groups of Irish surfers to Dakhla twice a year for the past decade, praised the continuous improvement of the city’s tourism infrastructure. She added that the Irish visitors she accompanies have all fallen in love with Morocco’s southern region, especially with the stunning Dakhla Lagoon.
Addressing the reception, held in celebration of one of the Kingdom’s most defining historical events, Morocco’s Ambassador to Ireland, Lahcen Mahraoui, emphasized the special significance of this year’s commemoration. It coincides with the adoption, on October 31, 2025, of UN Security Council Resolution 2797, which reaffirms the Moroccan autonomy plan under the Kingdom’s sovereignty as the sole solution to the artificial dispute over the Moroccan Sahara.
The diplomat also praised the steadfast and sincere support of friendly nations that backed the resolution. He added that this moment is even more historic as it aligns with the decision of His Majesty King Mohammed VI to declare October 31 as the “National Unity Day,” thereby underscoring the symbolic importance of this glorious epic and marking a historic milestone in the consolidation of the national cause.
The reception was attended by several members of the diplomatic corps accredited in Dublin, as well as numerous senators and friends of Morocco.
The evening also featured the screening of a documentary highlighting key moments of the Green March and showcasing the remarkable development achieved in Morocco’s southern provinces over the past fifty years.
Editorial team/le7tv
