Casablanca, Kingdom of Morocco | Wednesday, April 22, 2026 As part of strengthening Libya’s presence within the African sphere, His Excellency the Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation of the Libyan Government, Dr. Abdulhadi Al-Hweij, participated in the افتتاح (opening) of the First African Forum for Civil Society Organizations. The forum was organized by the Moroccan Center for Volunteering and Citizenship, alongside His Excellency the Minister of State in charge of Social Integration in the Kingdom of Morocco, Dr. Abdeljabbar Rachidi, with broad participation from government officials, diplomats, civil society actors, and academics from across the African continent. In his address, the Minister emphasized that this forum represents a qualitative milestone in strengthening the role of civil society within the African space. He highlighted that civil society organizations have become essential partners in achieving development, promoting solidarity, and strengthening ties among African peoples. He also commended the efforts of the Moroccan Center for Volunteering and Citizenship in establishing an African platform for dialogue and consultation, noting that this initiative reflects an advanced awareness of the importance of volunteer work in serving continental integration. The Minister further stated that Libya, as an integral part of the African continent, places special importance on enhancing the role of civil society. He underscored that the Libyan government, led by Dr. Osama Hammad, adopts a comprehensive vision based on supporting the independence of civil society, enabling its contribution to public policy-making, and promoting principles of good governance. Addressing issues of peace and stability, Dr. Al-Hweij stressed that peace is the foundation for any sustainable development in Africa. He affirmed that civil society plays a pivotal role in fostering dialogue, supporting reconciliation, and bridging differences in conflict areas. He also referred to successful African experiences in this field, particularly the Economic, Social and Cultural Council under the African Union, which serves as an advanced model for involving civil actors in continental work. In an initiative that received positive engagement from attendees, Dr. Al-Hweij called for the establishment of the “Casablanca Group for Volunteering and Development in Africa” as a unified framework to coordinate efforts among volunteers and civil society organizations across the continent, enhance solidarity work, and facilitate the exchange of expertise, thereby contributing to sustainable development and closer ties among African peoples. In the same context, he proposed the creation of practical mechanisms to support youth initiatives and promote a culture of volunteerism, particularly in the fields of local development, education, and humanitarian work, while emphasizing the importance of involving youth and women in this continental dynamic. The Minister’s participation in this forum reflects Libya’s broader orientation toward strengthening its engagement with its African environment and supporting all initiatives aimed at achieving integration and solidarity among African nations. The forum also provided an opportunity for exchanging perspectives and expertise among various stakeholders, leading to practical recommendations that would enhance the role of African civil society and enable it to contribute effectively to development, peace, and stability processes.