HM the King's Great Concern for the Blind and Visually Impaired is Part of National Strategy with Continental Scope (OAPAM SG)

Rabat, 27/10/2023 (MAP) - The great concern of His Majesty the King for the blind and visually impaired is part of a national strategy with a continental scope, confirmed by the holding in Morocco of the 10th General Assembly of the African Union of the Blind (AFUB), said, on Friday in Rabat, secretary general of the Alaouite Organization for the Promotion of the Blind in Morocco (OAPAM).

"The special attention that His Majesty King Mohammed VI, may God assist him, has never ceased to grant to disabled people, in general, and to the blind and visually impaired, in particular, notably through enlightened guidance and the support of the Sovereign for efforts aimed at the full social integration of people suffering from visual impairments, is part of a national strategy with an African scope", said Semmar, in a speech to the opening of the 10th General Assembly of the AFUB, in the presence of Her Highness Princess Lalla Lamia Essolh, president of OAPAM.

This African scope, he added, is confirmed by the holding in the Kingdom of Morocco of this continental event aimed at providing recommendations for the completion of the cognitive, social and cultural empowerment of the blind category.

“Morocco was one of the first countries to adopt a series of legislation relating to the protection of the rights of the blind and visually impaired," he affirmed, noting that since the creation of the OAPAM in 1967, under the leadership of His Late Majesty Hassan II who entrusted his presidency to HH Princess Lalla Lamia Essolh, Her Highness has worked tirelessly for the achievement of several strides in favor of the blind and the visually impaired, regardless of their age and level of education.

The aim is to enable totally or partially blind people to benefit from the right to education and social support, and to invest their skills and intellectual abilities in collaboration with all the departments concerned, he added.

OAPAM's secretary general stressed that "this 10th assembly, placed under the High Patronage of HM King Mohammed VI, is part of the strengthening of the determinants of Morocco's strategy in its African depth", adding that it is also the "outcome of the numerous visits made by HM the King to several African countries, as well as a translation of our country's royal vision for African cooperation".