The Head of Government Chairs the First Strategic Orientation Council Meeting of the High Atlas Development Agency

The Head of Government, Mr. Aziz Akhannouch, chaired the first Strategic Orientation Council meeting of the High Atlas Development Agency on Monday, December 2, 2024, in Rabat. This agency was established in accordance with the High Instructions of His Majesty King Mohammed VI, may God assist him, to oversee the implementation of the reconstruction and general rehabilitation program for areas affected by the Al-Haouz earthquake.
The inaugural meeting of the Strategic Orientation Council addressed key issues related to the operationalization of the Agency, approving its action plan and provisional budget for the year 2025. The Council also validated essential reference documents for the Agency's launch, including its organizational structure and the specific status of its human resources.
On this occasion, the Head of Government emphasized that the High Atlas Development Agency would ensure coordination and complementarity between economic and social development projects included in the reconstruction and general rehabilitation program for the earthquake-affected areas of Al-Haouz. He called on all relevant parties and departments to remain mobilized with diligence and rigor, in line with the High Royal Directives, to deliver a robust, coherent, swift, and determined response to the expectations of the affected populations.
The High Atlas Development Agency is tasked with supervising and executing all components and projects within the program, with an initial focus on reconstruction and rehabilitation projects for the impacted areas. These efforts will integrate environmental considerations, respect the heritage, traditions, and lifestyles of the affected populations, and adhere to seismic-resistant construction standards.
The Agency will also monitor program implementation and prepare reports on progress, including project advancement, expenditure commitments, payment statuses, and impact evaluations based on performance indicators.
This comprehensive and ambitious program aims to repair earthquake damage through financial aid dedicated to emergency assistance for affected families, as well as reconstruction and rehabilitation projects for damaged housing and infrastructure. Additionally, it seeks to strengthen socio-economic development in the affected areas.
Participants in this meeting included ministers, directors of public institutions who are members of the Strategic Orientation Council of the High Atlas Development Agency, and the Agency’s Director General.