Marrakech: Suhair Al-Ali, assistant to the president of the Senate and vice president of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Mediterranean (PAM), called for enhanced public-private partnerships and economic resilience amid rising geopolitical tensions during a regional economic summit in Morocco. Al-Ali made her remarks during the opening of the fourth Marrakech Economic Parliamentary Forum for the Euro-Mediterranean and Gulf Region.
According to Jordan News Agency, the event was organized by PAM in cooperation with the Moroccan House of Councilors and held for the first time in partnership with the Parliamentary Network on the World Bank and International Monetary Fund (IMF). The forum drew over 450 participants to the city of Marrakech.
Al-Ali highlighted the forum's role as a vital regional platform for legislative dialogue on economic growth, energy security, trade integration, and sustainable development. She noted that shifting geopolitical developments are altering global economic dynamics and putting increased pressure on various regions. Political tensions are heavily impacting global economic stability, she said, adding that rapid technological shifts particularly in the field of artificial intelligence (AI) are redefining both opportunities and risks for modern societies.
The senator stressed the importance of institutional alignment, describing the forum as a key vehicle for cooperation among governments, parliaments, and the private sector. Such partnerships are essential to finding effective solutions to trade and economic challenges, driving growth rates, and expanding inclusive decision-making, she said.
Al-Ali also emphasized the need to bolster youth participation and promote the socioeconomic empowerment of women across the region. During the forum, Al-Ali chaired a panel session titled "Promoting Investment in Artificial Intelligence and Establishing a Regional AI Hub in the Euro-Mediterranean and Gulf Region." The session featured contributions from officials representing the World Bank Group and the United Nations, alongside digital technology experts and executives from tech corporations.
On the sidelines of the event, Al-Ali held meetings with parliamentary leaders and members from PAM member states, as well as heads of senates, national assemblies, and international delegations spanning Africa, Latin America, and Asia. She also met with representatives from international financial institutions, UN agencies, academia, and the private sector.
The Parliamentary Assembly of the Mediterranean comprises 37 member states from the Euro-Mediterranean and Gulf regions, alongside partner nations including the United States. The assembly aims to foster political, economic, and social cooperation among its members to address shared regional challenges and cultivate peace and prosperity.