Morocco reunites Atlantic and Pacific in Sahara

Morocco convened a forum of Pacific Island states in the Atlantic Sahara city of Laayoune where participating countries discussed issues of common interest on top of which climate change and mitigation measures.

The event was an opportunity for Morocco to underscore its steadfast solidarity with Pacific island states as part of its south-south cooperation approach, foreign minister Nasser Bourita said in a message to participants.

The Minister recalled Morocco’s commitment to environmental concerns in those states during the UN climate summit COP22 in Marrakech in November 2016.

He said Morocco and pacific states attach importance to maritime areas and share similar aspects in different economic sectors such as fisheries and tourism but suffer “disproportionately and in an unfair way from global warming.”

“Morocco is renewing its willingness to share with Pacific island states the experiences and expertise it has developed in the economic, human and sustainable development areas,” he said.

“This is the spirit of the “Declaration of Laayoune” that will result from the works of this third edition of our forum, and that aims at developing a new vision regarding the most pressing issues of common concern, such as peace and security, sustainable development, climate change, combating terrorism and irregular immigration,” he said.

He said this is in accordance with the aspirations of each country, and the priorities of international cooperation set by the “Program of Samoa”, and in partnership with economic actors and civil society.

 

“Strengthening Linkages, Delivering on Commitments and Unifying Voices for Shared Prosperity between Morocco and the Pacific Island States” is the theme chosen for the three-day meeting, which explores ways to enhance bilateral cooperation between Morocco and its partners in the pacific islands.

The forum also aims to promote south-south cooperation within the framework of a win-win economic cooperation.