African Atlantic States commend Morocco for its initiative, leadership

Member countries of the Rabat Process on the African Atlantic States (AASP) praised, in New York, Morocco’s initiative and leadership in creating this coordination framework, which will help find appropriate solutions to mutual challenges.

At a Ministerial Meeting of the Atlantic African States Process held on the sidelines of the ongoing 79th UN General Assembly, several Foreign Ministers from countries involved in the process hailed the relevance of this initiative, launched in 2022 in line with the vision of King Mohammed VI to make the Atlantic African space a zone of peace, stability, and shared prosperity.

During this meeting, chaired by Morocco’s Foreign Minister, Nasser Bourita, participants also welcomed the launch of this important partnership which constitutes a framework for coordination and collaboration, and enables member countries to pool their efforts.

They also expressed their firm commitment to bringing this initiative to fruition, to make the Atlantic an area of peace, stability and prosperity, and a framework for promoting blue economy, connectivity, and renewable energy.

Speaking on this occasion, Bourita welcomed the significant progress achieved by the process, which has consolidated its institutional and programmatic foundations, and pointed out that this meeting marks an important step towards consolidating this partnership.

The Moroccan official noted the “strategic importance” of the Atlantic space, home to 46% of Africa’s population, 55% of Africa’s GDP, and 57% of continental trade, making it “an area of mobility and cross-fertilization, harboring enormous resources, both biological and non-biological.”

Bourita also highlighted Morocco’s belief that only collective and collaborative action by the Atlantic African States can “promote stability and shared prosperity in our region,” adding that pooling efforts of these States enables us to meet the multiple challenges of the Atlantic African area, and take advantage of its enormous opportunities for cooperation.

Bourita, who welcomed the meeting of AASP Justice Ministers held in Rabat last April, noted that this first sectoral meeting had given rise to the Forum of Justice Ministers, paving the way for a multi-sectoral Atlantic African partnership.

The meeting in New York was attended by Foreign Ministers from Benin, Cameroon, Cape Verde, Equatorial Guinea, Gambia, Guinea Bissau, Liberia, Mauritania, and Senegal.