The annual diplomatic charity gala dinner,organized by the embassy of France and the Diplomatic Foundation was held Friday in Rabat under the effective chairmanship of Princess Lalla Hasnaa chaired.
The event,held under the high patronage of King Mohammed VI,has become an annual tradition organized at the initiative of the Diplomatic Foundation and foreign embassies in Rabat,in favor of disadvantaged populations.
The initiative,bringing together generous patrons of the foreign diplomatic corps accredited to Morocco,businessmen,and artists,aims to raise funds to contribute to social action in Morocco,through the financing of a number of associative projects,notably in the fields of child protection,promotion of conditions of rural women,capacity-building for young girls,and assistance for the underprivileged and those in precarious situations.
Taking the floor during the event,France’s Ambassador in Rabat,Christophe Lecourtier,stated that the longstanding relationship between France and Morocco is elevated to the highest rank by the vision of King Mohammed VI and President Emmanuel Macron,“who wished a few weeks ago to set our two countries on the path to the future through a Reinforced Exceptional Partnership.”
“The Book we are writing together has many chapters,all of which have the same purpose: to enable us to be stronger,with one another,in facing the many challenges of this century and transforming them into opportunities,” he stressed. “It is about Morocco and France,of course,but also about Europe and Africa – that continent of the future – and finally about our planet,which more than ever needs and deserves the mobilization of all nations of good will.”
The French diplomat added that “this Book is mobilizing and will mobilize several stakeholders,here and there,” stressing that “we must also pay tribute to those,in the shadows or under the lights,who day after day work to calligraphy and illuminate the great hopes that our Heads of State were able to instill in minds and hearts.”
Lecourtier,emphasizing the importance of the duty to remember,recalled that since the end of the conflicts,the French Republic has endeavored to express its gratitude to Moroccan veterans,and to this end has carried out a lengthy census to award them the veteran’s card – and thus open up rights to their widows.
“Unfortunately,there are always situations that fall outside established frameworks. Because they no less justify our support,it was therefore very welcome,but also just and timely,that the Diplomatic Charity Gala,by singling out France,honored these veterans and helped the war widows affected by this legal constraint,” he said.
For his part,President of the Diplomatic Foundation,Abdelati Habek,emphasized that Princess Lalla Hasnaa’s effective presidency of this charity gala testifies to her sustained action,her constant commitment and the particular attention she pays to noble humanitarian causes,ensuring the strengthening of the spirit of cooperation and the promotion of the values of mutual social assistance.
He also highlighted the depth of Moroccan-French relations,as well as the solidity of the rich,diverse and unique human ties uniting the two friendly countries. These distinguished relations are based on a shared history,cultural ties,and human dimensions,he said.
He added that the age-old relations between Morocco and France are not limited to the past and present,but also look towards the future,drawing their strength and durability from an ancestral cultural and linguistic heritage that has today enabled them to rise to the level of an exceptional,reinforced partnership.
Habek also recalled the bravery of Moroccans who left their mark on a crucial phase in the history of the French Republic,adding that these heroes took part,alongside French forces,in the liberation of France from the yoke of occupation,responding to the call of the late Sovereign Mohammed V.
In this respect,he pointed out that the Diplomatic Foundation and the French Embassy in Rabat had decided to allocate all the funds from this gala to the widows of Moroccan veterans.
“This initiative is aimed at preserving the historical memory and heroism of these veterans,” he added.
The 2025 Diplomatic Gala Shield was then presented to Princess Lalla Hasnaa,who posed for a souvenir photo with members of the Diplomatic Foundation committee.
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