Managing Director of Maghreb Arabe Presse news agency (MAP), Khalil Hachimi Idrissi, chaired Wednesday in Washington, the launch ceremony of MAP-North America International Hub, which was marked by the presence of a number of American and Moroccan personalities from the diplomatic, political, academic corps as well as representatives from civil society, and American, Arab and international media.
The reception, held at the “National Press Club”, the Mecca of American and international journalists in Washington, was also marked by the presence of representatives of the major think tanks of the U.S. capital, international financial institutions based in Washington, former U.S. Ambassador to Morocco, Edward Gabriel, Deputy Spokesperson for Foreign Media at the Bureau of Near Eastern Affairs of the U.S. Department of State, Andy Halus, and representatives of the Moroccan Embassy in the U.S.
In a speech on this occasion, Mr. Hachimi Idrissi said the launch of the North American hub, the first of twelve similar structures of MAP’s international network, is a major event for the Agency and its journalists, noting that this international hub, whose capital is Washington DC, aims to integrate the work of correspondents in New York, Los Angeles, Montreal, Mexico, Panama, Santo Domingo, and soon those of Havana and Managua.
He noted, in this regard, that the choice to launch the international hub of North America, first, reflects the excellent performance of its staff and its confirmed and recognized leadership, adding that the purpose of this hub is to share resources, make the organization of the agency more efficient, improve production and optimize financial resources.
This new structure, said Mr. Hachimi Idrissi, also includes video and radio reports on Moroccan events across the whole territory.
He also expressed hope that the new hub would be a beginning for further similar experiences to be launched in the near future, especially in Latin America, North Africa, West Africa, East Africa, the Middle East and Eastern Europe, highlighting the commitment of MAP’s executives, staff and journalists to make this agency open on its pluralistic and diverse environment, and a major part in the implementation of the Moroccan democratic project led by HM King Mohammed VI “.
