Akhannouch signs Human Development Observatory budget: vehicles, hotels, and ‘prestige’

In the final stretch of the government’s term, just days before the legislative elections on September 23, Head of Government Aziz Akhannouch signed a government decree precisely defining the annual budget allocations for the National Observatory for Human Development, a public institution reporting directly to the Head of Government’s office. This timing has sparked debate and questions regarding the institution’s expenditure management.

Details and publication date of the decree

The decree is dated September 18, 2026, and was published under number 3.46.26 in issue 7547 of the Official Gazette on September 28, after the elections had concluded. It primarily concerns the distribution of financial credits granted to the Observatory from the general state budget, while repealing all previous regulatory provisions that had governed this process since 2012.

Nature of expenses and budget items

Data from the decree shows that the institution’s budget—tasked with monitoring human development indicators and analyzing poverty, vulnerability, and social disparities—is not limited to scientific research and studies, but also includes a wide range of operational and logistical expenses.

Key expenses include the purchase and rental of vehicles, as well as fuel, insurance, and maintenance costs. The list also covers expenses for hotels, accommodation, catering, receptions, rental of halls and audiovisual equipment, and fees for consultants and experts. Furthermore, it includes costs for communication support, production of advertising clips, travel allowances for missions abroad, and remuneration for board members and Observatory staff.

Institution’s mission and role

The National Observatory for Human Development is a public institution under the authority of the Head of Government. Its core mission is to monitor and evaluate human development programs, produce and analyze data related to poverty and social inequality, and conduct research on social development. This work aims to provide public authorities with precise tools and data to help them evaluate policies and programs aimed at various social groups.