On behalf of the President of the Republic, Mr. Abdelmadjid Tebboune, Prime Minister Mr. Sifi Gharib today presided over the official opening of the conference of consular center heads, hosted by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, in the presence of the Minister of State, Minister of Foreign Affairs, the National Community Abroad and African Affairs, Mr. Ahmed Attaf, and the Advisor to the President of the Republic in charge of Diplomatic Affairs, Mr. Amar Aba, as well as a number of members of the government and senior state officials.
In his speech on this occasion, the Prime Minister emphasized that this conference is part of the special attention given by the country's highest authorities to the national community abroad, considering it an integral part of the Algerian nation and an integral part of the national fabric.
The Prime Minister highlighted the efforts made by the state since the first consular conference in 2002, particularly through the expansion of the consular network and the strengthening of its services, in response to the changes experienced by the Algerian community abroad in terms of numbers, the diversity of countries of residence, the evolution of their social and economic conditions, and their growing roles within their countries of residence.
He also stressed that the main challenge facing the consular network is to live up to the political will expressed by the President of the Republic, particularly with regard to protecting citizens abroad, simplifying administrative procedures, improving the quality of consular services, accelerating the digital transition, as well as developing practical solutions that respond to the emerging needs of the community, particularly in the economic, cultural, and communication fields.
The opening ceremony began with a welcome speech by Mr. Sofiane Chaib, Secretary of State to the Minister of Foreign Affairs in charge of the National Community Abroad, in which he explained that the work of this three-day symposium, through specialized workshops, with the participation of 43 heads of consular centers, including consuls general and consuls, as well as heads of consular services in diplomatic missions, constitutes an important milestone for evaluating consular performance and studying ways to enhance it, within the framework of a participatory approach involving several ministerial sectors and national bodies.