RABAT (MOROCCO) (ITALPRESS) – Morocco takes a leading role in global human rights governance. Amina Bouayach, president of Morocco’s National Council for Human Rights (CNDH), was unanimously elected to lead the World Alliance of National Human Rights Institutions (GANHRI). The vote took place during the General Assembly of GANHRI, held in Geneva in conjunction with the 58th session of the United Nations Human Rights Council.

According to the MAP agency, the candidacy of the president of the CNDH has returned the presidency of GANHRI to Africa after ten years. In her first speech as president of GANHRI, Amina Bouayach said she was honored by the trust she had received from African representatives and the international community. She stressed the need for collective action to address global challenges: from the defense of fundamental freedoms to the impact of new technologies, from climate change to economic inequalities.

ITALIAN VERSION

– photo CNDH –

(ITALPRESS).

Source: medNews

RABAT (MOROCCO) (ITALPRESS) – Morocco consolidates its economic leadership in North Africa, according to the 2025 Index of Economic Freedom published by the Heritage Institute, as “Yabiladi” website reports. With a score of 60.3 out of 100, the Kingdom gains 3.5 points compared to the previous year, positioning itself in 86th place globally out of 176 countries evaluated.

Compared to its North African neighbors, Morocco maintains a significant advantage. Tunisia (149th) and Algeria (160th) fall into the category of “economic repression”, while Egypt (145th) and Mauritania (119th) are considered “fairly free”. At the level of the MENA region (Middle East and North Africa), Morocco is ranked seventh, overtaking Kuwait and approaching Saudi Arabia.

In the African context, Morocco confirms its position among the most competitive countries, clearly outperforming the continent’s main economies and consolidating its position as a reference hub for international investors. Morocco obtained high scores in key areas such as investment freedom (75 points), financial freedom (75 points) and monetary freedom (74.4 points), demonstrating significant progress in economic attractiveness. However, there is still room for improvement in areas such as public spending (67.9 points) and trade freedom (67.2 points). Morocco’s further growth in this ranking confirms its central role in the African economy and strengthens its attractiveness for investors.

– photo IPA Agency –

(ITALPRESS).

Source: medNews

ROME (ITALPRESS/MNA) –  Direct air connections between Rome and the Benghazi – Benina international airport operated by ITA Airways will resume in June. The preparations for the reactivation of this route were the focus during a meeting in Benghazi between the Italian delegation, led by Enac President Pierluigi Di Palma, and the President of the Fund for the Reconstruction of Libya Belkasem Haftar, in the presence of other Libyan collaborators. According to a statement issued by Enac, the meeting follows President Haftar’s visit to Enac last December and “consolidates the path of cooperation started months ago which highlights the firm political, institutional and entrepreneurial will to reactivate direct air connections between the two countries, also to and from the international airport of Benghazi, following that of Tripoli”.

The Italian delegation that participated in the meeting was composed of the Ambassador of Italy in Tripoli Gianluca Alberini, the Head of the Economic and Commercial Office of the Italian Embassy in Tripoli Fabio Giudice, the Consul General of Italy in Benghazi Francesco Saverio De Luigi, the President of the Italian-Libyan Chamber of Commerce Nicola Colicchi, the Central Director of Economic Programming and Infrastructure Development Claudio Eminente, the security team (Antonino Caruso, Territorial Director of Eastern Sicily, Lorena Cruciani of the Emilia Romagna Directorate, Rocco Luciani Director of the State Police of Milan Malpensa), the Director of Commercial Services ENAV Cristiana Cafiero, the Manager of ITA Airways Francesco Presicce, Alessandro Giulivi of Elitaliana, and the President of the AENEAS Consortium Elio Franci. A special thanks goes to CAI and AISE who effectively supported the mission.

Enac President Pierluigi Di Palma expressed satisfaction for the fruitful collaboration that has been established between Italy and Libya in the field of civil aviation. “I thank the President of the Fund for the Reconstruction of Libya Belkasem Haftar for the important and fruitful discussion held yesterday that fulfills the commitments made last December in Enac, allowing the activation, from next June, of the first flight between Rome Fiumicino and Benghazi-Benina, in addition to the direct connections already operated by Ita Airways and Medsky Airways. Further confirmation of the key role of air transport, as a tool to connect people and promote mutual opportunities for economic and commercial growth, but above all to strengthen a bond of friendship between the two countries and myself”.

– Photo Press office Enac –

(ITALPRESS/MNA)

Source: medNews

LA VALLETTA (MNA/ITALPRESS) – Maltese Prime Minister Robert Abela said a more pragmatic approach needs to be taken to the war between Russia and Ukraine, while declaring “Ukraine is not going to win this war.”

During a televised interview, Abela recognised that Ukraine was the victim of Russian aggression, however, he said a diplomatic solution is needed to end the war. He added, “Maltàs biggest investment should continue to be in diplomacy.”

Referring to Thursday’s crises EU summit, the Maltese Premier confirmed that there is a disagreement within the EU leaders on the issue. “I think there are those who want a permanent ceasefire, whereas there are those who want Ukraine to win. We really are at a crossroads in Europe.”

EU leaders on Thursday greenlit a plan drawn up by the European Commission that aims to mobilise €800 billion to “re-arm Europe” against the perceived threat from Russia.

The prime minister spoke about the importance of close relations with the President of the United States Donald Trump. Abela said Trump’s proposed minerals deal with Ukraine would serve as a security guarantee in itself, as it would mean the US has economic interests in the country which it would want to protect.

Robert Abela has justified Maltàs vote in favour of a €800 billion plan to bolster European defence spending. He explained that through the vote, the Maltese government secured guarantees that it would not be involved in arms purchases while not preventing other EU countries from bolstering their defence spending.

He added any debts taken on by other EU countries under the €800 billion plan will not be guaranteed by Malta.

On Maltàs own security, Abela said EU membership includes mutual defence clauses.

(ITALPRESS).

Foto: Partito Laburista Malta

Source: medNews

VALLETTA (MALTA) (ITALPRESS/MNA) – Malta will not invest in, or borrow money to buy weapons of war, after EU leaders reassured Ukraine the full support and agreed on an 800 billion euros package to boost the bloc’s defences at a crisis summit held in Brussels.

The plan presented by the European Commission President Ursula van der Leyen will increase the defence spending, and was adopted unanimously, including by Malta. This despite the Maltese PM Robert Abela telling the media that more weapons would not end the war.

An official statement by the Maltese government stated that at the summit, Prime Minister Robert Abela declared: “”Guided by the principle of neutrality, our country does not believe that the solution to wars is weapons,” flagging the need to safeguard various aspects of security and defence including cyber security, hybrid threats and critical infrastructure security.

Abela insisted that decisions taken at EU level should be inclusive, so as not to exclude countries like Malta which did not want to invest in lethal weapons. “We need to build a stronger and sovereign Europe – one that protects its security while remaining a force for peace. But we must do this responsibly, inclusively, and with full respect for our values and the realities of all member states”.

The Maltese prime minister told the EU summit that while Malta recognised the challenges linked to the EU’s security, the way forward must prioritise dialogue and diplomacy.
During the Thursday summit, Abela made Maltàs position clear: “Malta will not make use of this money to buy weapons and ammunition of destruction”. “Others can choose to invest in weapons. That is their decision, while we were given a guarantee that we can stay out of it. We will also not be responsible for the lending of that money,” he said. “Whoever chooses to invest in such, should pay for it themselves. We will be investing in peace. And we will continue investing in people and offering our country to host peace discussions”.

Meanwhile, the Nationalist Opposition accused Robert Abela of changing his stance on the issue three times while making a U-turn on European defence when he voted in favour of increasing defence spending. “Abela has once again done what he is well known for – another U-turn, or rather a complete 360-degree turn, leaving Malta without direction”.

– Photo press office Prime Minister Robert Abela –

(ITALPRESS).

Source: medNews

RABAT (MOROCCO) (ITALPRESS) – Morocco has taken a major step in advancing its green hydrogen sector by selecting five national and international consortia for the development of six projects across the country’s southern regions. The total investment for these projects amounts to 319 billion dirhams (approximately 31 billion dollars).

The decision was made during a Steering Committee meeting of the “Morocco Offer”, which was held in Rabat and chaired by Moroccan Prime Minister Aziz Akhannouch. Among the selected investors is the “ORNX” consortium, which brings together the American company Ortus, the Spanish Acciona and the German Nordex, whose objective is the production of ammonia. Another consortium, composed of the Emirati Taqa and the Spanish Cepsa, will focus on the production of ammonia and industrial fuels. The Moroccan company Nareva will invest in the green steel sector, while the Saudi company ACWA Power will also operate in this segment. Finally, the Chinese groups UEG and China Three Gorges will develop ammonia production units.

Each project will span up to 30,000 hectares, with land management guaranteed by the government through a tailored contractual framework. These six new projects build on previous agreements, including the two agreements signed in October 2024 in the presence of King Mohammed VI and French President Emmanuel Macron. The first, signed with TotalEnergies, aims to develop the green hydrogen sector in Morocco. The second, concluded between the Office Chérifien des Phosphates (OCP) and the Engie group, includes five initiatives, one of which is specifically dedicated to green hydrogen.

The Moroccan government stresses that the process remains open to other operators who wish to contribute to this development dynamic. This initiative is part of the national strategy for green hydrogen, launched in March 2024 with the publication of a circular from the Head of Government, aimed at accelerating the growth of this sector. Morocco aims to leverage its strengths, including its strategic geographical location, abundant natural resources and high-quality infrastructure, to establish itself as a reference hub in the global energy transition.

– photo MAP –

(ITALPRESS).

Source: medNews

DHAKA (BANGLADESH) (ITALPRESS) – Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus has been invited by Holy See Pope Francis to attend the World Meeting on Human Fraternity in Vatican City on September 12-13, 2025. The invitation was personally delivered by Father Francesco Occhetta, General Secretary of the Vatican’s Fondazione Fratelli Tutti, who met Professor Yunus at the State Guest House Jamuna in Dhaka on Thursday.

During the meeting, Occhetta expressed high regard for the Nobel Laureate’s global influence, telling him, “You are a top leader; you’re a sensational figure. The World Meeting on Human Fraternity is set to be a historic gathering, bringing together world leaders, dignitaries, and thinkers to shape a future based on unity, peace, and social justice.

Central to the event will be the drafting of the Tables of Humanity, a foundational document outlining universal principles for peaceful coexistence and defining a New Human Charter inspired by Pope Francis’s vision for a more inclusive and compassionate world.

A grand gathering is expected at St. Peter’s Square, marking one of the largest events. The program will also feature a global concert, discussions, and symbolic multimedia presentations reaffirming the principles of human fraternity.

Occhetta informed Professor Yunus that notable world leaders, will be present. During their discussion, Professor Yunus enquired about Pope Francis’s well-being and conveyed his greetings, remarking, “He is a wonderful human.”

In response, Occhetta emphasised the Foundation appreciation for Bangladesh, stating, “We didn’t come here just to invite you, but also to show our support, care, and love for Bangladesh.”Professor Yunus thanked Occhetta for the invitation and expressed his anticipation for the event, saying, “I’m looking forward to it.”

The Vatican’s recognition of Professor Yunus’s Three Zero Principles—zero poverty, zero unemployment, and zero net carbon emissions—underscores his transformative leadership and commitment to fostering a just and sustainable world.

-foto pagina Facebook Chief Adviser Government of Bangladesh-
(ITALPRESS).

Source: medNews

MILANO (ITALPRESS) – “Relations between Italy and the United Arab Emirates stand as an example of international cooperation when it comes to innovation and sustainability”, said Webuild CEO Pietro Salini during his participation in the “Business with Lubna” TV programme, on Sky News Arabia. He went on to say that for the Webuild Group it is a privilege to contribute to strengthening this bond, with tangible ongoing results that for 50 years have seen the Group at the side of many local clients, supporting the infrastructural development and collective wellbeing of the Country. 

“The United Arab Emirates are a largely developing reality that keeps investing intensively in the infrastructure sector, driven by an economic diversification strategy, and the need of supporting demographic and tourism growth. The Webuild Group, as of today, has significant commercial prospects in the area, especially when it comes to energy, metro and railway, water treatment and desalination plant projects, but also with regard to iconic buildings, hospitals and airports”.

“The Webuild Group, in the United Arab Emirates, has built approximately 30 projects in various different sectors, also thanks to its long-standing premium engineering, which has seen the Group for 120 years already as a reference player in the infrastructure sector, on a global level” Salini recalled.  “For example, we built the Abu Dhabi Great Mosque, among the world’s largest, and capable of welcoming up to 40,000 believers; but also, the Jebel Ali M desalination plant, among the world’s most iconic in its industrial sector, capable of providing water to the city of Dubai, with over 636,000 cubic metres of water delivered daily”, concluded Salini.

Webuild has a consolidated presence in the water sector in the entire Middle Eastern area, where it works with its subsidiary Fisia Italimpianti, a global leader in water treatment and desalination, which through its plants supplies water to over 20 million people globally. 

The entire Middle Eastern area represents a scenario of great strategic interest for Webuild. It is in fact an area where the Group is building some of the world’s most challenging infrastructural projects, just like the futuristic NEOM project in Saudi Arabia. Here, it has already built iconic works like the Kingdom Centre in Riyadh, which has been awarded the Emporis Skyscraper Award 2022 as the world’s best designed skyscraper; and the Orange Line (Line 3) of Riyadh’s Metro, the longest of the new innovative metro network of the Saudi capital. In Qatar, it has built the Al-Bayt Stadium, in Al Khor, shaped as a typical Arab tent, which hosted the FIFA World Cup 2022 matches.  

-Foto ufficio stampa Webuild-
(ITALPRESS).

Source: medNews

MECCA (SAUDI ARABIA) (ITALPRESS) – Saudi Arabia has
reaffirmed its support for Moroccòs territorial integrity and
its sovereignty over the Sahara, recognizing the autonomy
initiative proposed by Rabat as the only solution for the
resolution of this regional dispute. According to
the “Map” agency, the Saudi position was expressed
during the 14th session of the Morocco-Saudi Arabia
Mixed Commission, held in Mecca, during which the
Saudi Kingdom reaffirmed its support for the Moroccan solution,
believing that any agreement must respect the sovereignty and
territorial integrity of Morocco. During the Commission’s work, Riyadh also praised King Mohammed VI’s initiatives in favor of Africàs development, highlighting the strategic value of key projects such as the Royal Initiative to Facilitate the Access of the Sahel Countries to the Atlantic Ocean, the African Atlantic States Process and the Nigeria-Morocco Gas Pipeline.
(ITALPRESS).
-Photo: Embassy of Morocco in Italy-

Source: medNews

CAIRO (EGYPT) (ITALPRESS/MAP) – The Extraordinary Arab Summit, held on Tuesday in Cairo, highlighted the role of the Al-Quds Committee, chaired by His Majesty King Mohammed VI, and the Bayt Mal Al-Quds Asharif Agency, the executive arm of the Al-Quds Committee.

This position was reaffirmed in the Cairo Declaration, adopted at the conclusion of the Summit’s proceedings.

The summit, held in Egypt to discuss the latest developments regarding the Palestinian issue, was convened in consultation with the Kingdom of Bahrain, which currently holds the presidency of the Arab League Council at the summit level, as well as with the General Secretariat of the League and the Arab states.

– foto IPA Agency –

(ITALPRESS/MAP).

Source: medNews