Morocco delivered a strong diplomatic performance at the 39th African Union Summit in Addis Ababa, reinforcing its position as a key driver of continental cooperation. Head of Government Aziz Akhannouch represented King Mohammed VI at the two-day gathering held February 14–15 under the theme of sustainable water and sanitation systems.
The summit provided Morocco with a platform to showcase its expanding influence on the continent. A major milestone came with the Kingdom’s election to the AU Peace and Security Council for the third time, a two-year term that Akhannouch described as a testament to the trust placed in Morocco’s approach to continental stability. He emphasized that the Kingdom’s strategy rests on sincere cooperation, permanent consultation, and respect for state sovereignty and territorial integrity.
Akhannouch also highlighted King Mohammed VI’s recognized leadership on migration issues, describing royal efforts to transform migration into an economic lever for Africa through a comprehensive, humanist approach combining stability, inclusive development strategies, and crisis prevention. He stressed that sustainable African development cannot be achieved in a climate of conflict and uncertainty.
On the summit’s central theme of water security, Morocco positioned itself as a continental reference. A ministerial side event co-organized by Morocco’s permanent mission showcased the Kingdom’s integrated water management strategy, encompassing hydraulic infrastructure, nature-based solutions, rainwater harvesting, and desalination technology. Senegalese Foreign Minister Cheikh Niang praised Morocco as a major benchmark for the continent in unconventional water resources.
Morocco further proposed hosting a high-level conference on South-South cooperation in water and sanitation during 2026, ahead of the UN Water Conference scheduled for December in Abu Dhabi — a move that underscores Rabat’s ambition to lead on one of Africa’s most pressing challenges.
