Morocco’s delegation to the 149th Assembly of the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) called on Wednesday in Geneva for greater investment in science and technology while protecting humanity against the dangers of their “lethal” uses.
“We must unite our voices in warning of these different risks,” said MP Omar Hejira, speaking on behalf of the Moroccan Parliament at the general debate on “Harnessing science, technology and innovation for a more peaceful and sustainable future.”
Alongside the beneficial advances in science and technology, the MP, who is leading the Moroccan parliamentary section’s delegation to this assembly and associated meetings, pointed to “a scientific frenzy of unprecedented proportions,” both in industries “that threaten peace, security and stability” and in certain genetic research where the minimum bioethical standard is lacking.
The Moroccan MP also spoke of the risks posed by artificial intelligence and the alarming spread of misinformation via social media.
He proposed to launch a new universal appeal expressing “our concern about the need to protect humanity from the dangers of the lethal uses of science and technology.”
While acknowledging the undeniable advantages and achievements of scientific and technological advances in the development of mankind, the Moroccan MP drew attention to the scientific and technological gap that still weighs heavily on the least developed countries.
“There are great leaps forward in scientific research, whose achievements and results do not reach all regions of the world. The tremendous progress made in the fields of artificial intelligence, robotics, biotechnology, machine learning, and the Internet has not yet reached all people,” he stressed.
In this regard, Hejira expressed concern that these disparities could jeopardize the achievement of the 2030 Sustainable Development Goals, calling on the international community to address the imbalance and provide the minimum qualifications and training needed to enable all countries to benefit from scientific and technological advances.
Besides Mr. Hejira (Istiqlali Group of Unity and Egalitarianism), the Moroccan parliamentary delegation includes Reps. Mustapha Reddad (National Rally of Independents Group), Khaddouj Slassi (Socialist Group-Ittihadi Opposition), and the Secretary General of the House of Representatives, Najib El Khadi.
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