Saudi-African Summit: Riyadh Declaration highlights Moroccan King’s development vision for Africa
The “Riyadh Declaration” issued at the end of the Saudi-African Summit, held on Friday, stressed the importance of strengthening cooperation in the fields of air and sea transport, as well as logistics services, to serve the mutual interests of both parties.
The Riyadh Summit will thus have interacted positively with King Mohammed VI’s forward-looking vision for sustainable development in Africa, including the Initiative of the Ministerial Conference of African Atlantic States and the call launched by the Sovereign in his latest Speech on the 48th anniversary of the Green March to turn the Atlantic coast into a geopolitical space of human communion, peace-building, stability, and economic integration, as well as a hub of continental and international influence.
The Riyadh Declaration also supports the royal initiative to upgrade infrastructure in Sahel countries and connect them to transport and communications networks in their regional environment, giving them access to the Atlantic Ocean.
Morocco, under the leadership of the King, remains ready to share its experience and expertise with the brotherly countries taking part in this Summit, with a view to building an exemplary partnership, based on full respect for the foundations of the sovereignty of States and their national constants, in order to achieve their aspirations in terms of development, security, and prosperity.
To improve and consolidate cooperation between Saudi Arabia and Africa, the Summit decided to set up four working groups: the first dedicated to political, security, and military issues, and the fight against extremism and terrorism; the second to economic issues, development, trade, and investment; the third to cultural exchange, education, and civilizational communication; and the fourth to the human element and health.
As a major player in multi-dimensional sustainable development on the African continent, and thanks to its solid relations with Saudi Arabia, Morocco will endeavor to enrich discussions within these groups, drawing on its expertise and the capital of trust it enjoys with its partners.
Morocco’s vision for cooperation with brotherly African countries is a concrete illustration of the Kingdom’s constant and unwavering commitment to the development of the continent and the prosperity of its peoples.
This commitment is reflected in the many important initiatives taken by Morocco as part of its approach to South-South cooperation.
In line with this enlightened Royal vision, Morocco is successfully strengthening its exemplary partnership with the countries of the continent, a choice that aims to make investment an essential lever for socio-economic development and regional and continental integration in Africa.
For Morocco, the Saudi-African Summit is an opportunity to strengthen cooperation between African countries and Saudi Arabia, and consolidate the foundations of a solid, fruitful and win-win partnership, in line with the efforts made by Morocco and Saudi Arabia in support of the countries of the Continent facing major economic, security, and environmental challenges that arise in today’s world.
King Mohammed VI was represented at this Summit by the Head of Government, Aziz Akhannouch.
