Morocco, AUDA-NEPAD sign two cooperation agreements, vow to upgrade partnership in water sector
Morocco’s commitment to Africa’s development was formalized by the signing of two agreements between the kingdom and the African Union Development Agency (AUDA-NEPAD).
The agreements, namely a headquarters agreement for the establishment of the AUDA-NEPAD National Office in Morocco and a framework cooperation agreement for the promotion of development projects of common interest, were signed Thursday in Rabat by visiting AUDA-NEPAD Chief, Nardos Bekele-Thomas, and Moroccan Foreign Minister Nasser Bourita.
In a statement to the media following the signing ceremony, Bekele-Thomas praised the vision of King Mohammed VI and Morocco’s commitment to African integration, as well as the Kingdom’s continued support for the Agency’s activities.
She also emphasized that the signing of these two agreements reflects the Royal vision for Africa and Morocco’s commitment to the African Union and the AU Development Agency.
The framework cooperation agreement illustrates Morocco’s support for the development of the African continent, she underlined, adding that ADUA-NEPAD will work in coordination with the Kingdom to implement the AU’s Agenda 2063.
CEO of the African Union Development Agency held a separate meeting with Minister of Equipment and Water Nizar Baraka during which the two sides vowed to strengthen partnership in water sectors.
Baraka told the media after the meeting that talks with the head of ADUA-NEPAD provided an opportunity to examine ways of strengthening partnerships between Morocco and African countries, particularly in the water sector, and to “share our country’s expertise and successful experiences with sub-Saharan African countries within the framework of South-South cooperation.”
This cooperation could focus on water conservation methods, desalination using renewable energies, and integrated water management methods, among others, he added.
The Minister surveyed the structuring projects underway, and underlined the Kingdom’s “pioneering experience” in the development of port infrastructure, such as the Mediterranean port of Tanger Med, the port of Nador and the port of Dakhla.
For her part, Bekele-Thomas stressed the importance of this meeting in bringing to fruition the discussions begun in 2022 on strategic projects for the continent, particularly in the water sector.
“Morocco is a key player thanks to its recognized expertise in water management and its innovative solutions, particularly in terms of redistributing water resources between regions”, she said.
She also praised the vision of King Mohammed VI and Morocco’s commitment to African integration, and hailed the Kingdom’s socio-economic achievements and development momentum, mainly in the water sector.
The meeting also provided an opportunity to discuss ways of strengthening cooperation between Morocco and ADUA-NEPAD, while deepening consultation on issues of common interest.
The mandate of the African Union Development Agency focuses on coordinating the continent’s development activities and mobilizing the resources needed to implement its projects.