Digital Citizenship: Launch of the First United Nations Simulation in Rabat

The proceedings of the first edition of the United Nations simulation in the fields of digital citizenship, cybersecurity, and artificial intelligence were launched on Friday in Rabat.

Organized by the youth of the Espace Maroc Cyberconfiance, with scientific supervision from the Moroccan Center for Polytechnic Research and Innovation (CMRPI), in partnership with the Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ICESCO) and the Council of Europe, this three-day conclave—structured as a simulation of the work of the main bodies of the United Nations—focuses on issues related to the digital sphere, particularly digital citizenship, cybersecurity, and artificial intelligence.

Initiated as part of the action plan for Safer Internet Day Morocco 2026, the event brings together representatives from several public institutions and leading companies in the digital sector to discuss emerging challenges related to the ethical governance of the digital space, the protection of human rights online, and the challenges posed by the rapid evolution of artificial intelligence.

In a keynote address, the president of the CMRPI, Youssef Bentaleb, stated that this meeting comes in the wake of the rapid developments in the digital world, which have reshaped various aspects of contemporary life in terms of education, work, social communication, and decision-making. He noted that these transformations, while offering opportunities for development and innovation, also present multidisciplinary challenges.

These changes concern legal aspects related to the protection of personal data and digital rights, as well as security dimensions linked to cybersecurity threats and those affecting the digital space, he added.

He further noted that they also involve social dimensions related to the impact of technology on moral values and human relationships, as well as economic challenges in the labor market and the profound transformations brought about by new technologies, foremost among them artificial intelligence.

According to him, this initiative represents a major step toward strengthening young people’s awareness of these transformations, enabling them to understand their various dimensions, develop their ability to confront their challenges, and take advantage of the opportunities they offer.

He emphasized that the meeting also aims to encourage them to actively engage in debates surrounding contemporary digital issues in order to help build a safe, responsible, and sustainable digital space.

For his part, the Director of Criminal Affairs, Pardons, and Crime Detection at the Ministry of Justice, Hicham Mellati, stated that Morocco’s efforts in cybersecurity include updating legislation through Law No. 03.23 amending and supplementing the Code of Criminal Procedure, considered the most profound reform of the criminal system in two decades, in addition to Law No. 20-05 on cybersecurity and Law No. 08-09 on the protection of personal data.

These efforts also include the Kingdom’s ratification of the United Nations Convention against Cybercrime, he said, noting that Morocco actively contributed to its drafting process.

For her part, Ms. Bahija Smidi from the Department of Legal Affairs and International Standards at ICESCO stated that this simulation is not an ordinary academic exercise, but rather an act of confidence in the ability of the “digital generation” to diagnose various challenges.

“Cybersecurity, digital citizenship, and artificial intelligence outline the contours of a civilizational challenge that our generation can no longer afford to ignore,” she added.

“We are now evolving in a world profoundly shaped by digital technologies. This transformation, both rapid and global, is redefining our economies, our institutions, as well as our societies and social interactions,” remarked Javier Orlando Gomez Prieto, Head of the Council of Europe Office in Rabat.

While it opens considerable prospects in terms of innovation, access to information, and development, this transformation also raises major challenges in terms of security, governance, and the protection of fundamental rights, he continued.

Participants in this event will be divided into six committees simulating the main United Nations bodies: the United Nations General Assembly, the Human Rights Council, UN Women, the World Health Organization, the Economic and Social Council, and the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime.

The proceedings of this meeting, held under the auspices of the Ministry of Justice and the Ministry of Youth, Culture, and Communication, with the support of the Swiss Embassy in Morocco, will conclude with the adoption of resolutions and the selection of the best proposals, reflecting the commitment of young people to ethical, responsible, and inclusive digital development.