HM the King Addresses Letter to Govt. Head on 7th General Population-Housing Census

His Majesty King Mohammed VI, may God assist Him, addressed a letter to the Head of Government, Aziz Akhannouch, on the 7th general population and housing census, which will be organized in late summer of this year. Here is the full text of the Royal Letter:   “Praise be to God May peace and blessings be upon the Prophet, His Kith and Kin My devoted servant Mr. Aziz AKHANNOUCH,   Head of Government May God protect you and guide your steps on the right path   Since I assumed the supreme responsibility of leading the nation, I have constantly attached the greatest interest to the general population and housing census and to the periodicity of its organization. Thanks to the multitude and importance of generated data and indicators, this operation represents a valuable tool to achieve our societal project and to properly deploy our development model, built on the principles of political democracy, economic efficiency, human development and social and territorial cohesion. The periodic renewal of this operation, at regular intervals every ten years, is a thoughtful choice that allows us to be better equipped to accurately grasp the demographic and socio-economic evolution of the country, anticipate the changing needs of our citizens and devise relevant policies accordingly. I have therefore decided, with the help of God, to actively tackle it by organizing, late this summer, a new general population and housing census, the 7th since 1960, which aims to be innovative and ambitious. Innovative by its approach and the technological means that will be mobilized to collect and process information. Ambitious by broadening the fields of investigation to new themes that are close to our hearts, notably the structuring societal project of social protection.   Mr. Head of Government, You are well aware, in view of the pursued objectives, of the strategic importance of this ten-year event that is of interest to the whole nation and beyond: national and international institutions, political, trade union and economic actors, civil society, Moroccan families and all foreign residents. I am therefore convinced that you will spare no effort to meticulously ensure the full success of this operation of national scope that requires, beyond the broad mobilization of significant human and logistical resources, commitment and close and effective coordination of all public administrations, public institutions, decentralized services, as well as regional, provincial and local authorities and elected councils. In this regard, I call on the Interior Minister, the High Commissioner for Planning and all walis and governors to ensure optimal operational organization of this census in compliance with the deadlines and in close coordination with other stakeholders on the ground. For the full success of the general census operation, I urge My loyal citizens to demonstrate, as usual, full cooperation and active participation in this exercise of general interest by providing reliable and accurate information. Furthermore, I invite the High Commission for Planning, upon completion of data collection, to diligently ensure their processing and analysis, as well as to make results accessible and usable by decision-makers and stakeholders concerned as soon as possible. This speed in the exploitation of data will allow, among other things, the rapid identification of emerging trends with a view to developing relevant public policies and adapting various programs for the good of our Nation and the well-being of our people. My devoted servant, May the Almighty grant you success.   Wassalamu Alaika wa Rahmatullahi wa Barakatuh”.