Contributing to the creation of this association and serving as its Founding President is a source of pride. My ambition was to organize this Honorary Consular Corps, which deserves recognition and respect. It was also about clarifying the status of Honorary Consuls as defined by the Vienna Convention.
Indeed, our association was established in 2015 and has no political or union-related aims.
Its creation stemmed from the reflection of a few Honorary Consuls who recognized the need for such a Union, following the example of other countries, particularly in Europe, where the role of honorary consuls is increasingly vital — even essential — in the realm of international relations.
The Honorary Consular Corps of Morocco is composed of distinguished men and women driven by the mission to represent foreign governments (sending states) in our country (hosting state), in order to defend their interests and protect their citizens.
To fulfill this mission, the entire Honorary Consular Corps must adhere to our code of ethics, which upholds the values of friendship, conviviality, responsibility, solidarity, and citizenship, along with our shared commitment to peace and tolerance.
We must unite and organize all Honorary Consuls across Morocco’s cities.
This Union must embody the best possible representation of the Honorary Consular Corps and serve as its spokesperson and sole interlocutor with the authorities.
An Honorary Consul is chosen for their skills, experience, social standing, and strong networks within Moroccan society. As such, they contribute to the promotion of our country and play a key role in economic diplomacy.
Moreover, His Majesty King Mohammed VI — may God assist Him — in his Royal letter addressed to ambassadors on the occasion of the National Day of Moroccan Diplomacy (dated April 28, 2000), identified the new actors of diplomacy, implicitly including Honorary Consuls.
I would like to pay tribute to the new Board of Directors and its President, Atman HALOUI, who will carry forward the ambitious mission of our Union.
Majid BOUTALEB
Honorary President of the UCHM