OIC summit: King Mohammed VI underscores relevance of Atlantic initiative
King Mohammed VI highlighted the relevance of Morocco’s Atlantic initiative that aims at promoting regional integration by offering landlocked Sahel countries access to the Atlantic and global trade.
This came in a speech read on the King’s behalf before the 15th Summit of the Organization of Islamic Conference (OIC), held in Banjul April 4-5.
In his speech, the Sovereign called on OIC member states to show solidarity and foster cooperation, notably with least developed African states where instability hampers social and economic progress.
“In this spirit and convinced of the importance of South-South cooperation, I have launched the Africa-Atlantic Initiative as an African partnership process whose ultimate goal is to strengthen the ties of cooperation and integration among the African countries bordering the Atlantic Ocean, ultimately consolidating peace, stability and shared prosperity in the region,” said the King, who praised Gambia’s president for hosting the summit and thanked Saudi Arabia’s leadership for its efforts during the previous summit.
In this respect, the King highlighted the importance of the gas pipeline that is planned to run from Nigeria to Morocco as a project that will spur regional integration and economic growth.
After recalling the context in which the OIC was created in Morocco 55 years ago, the monarch stressed that the organization is meant to spread the tolerant precepts of Islam, foster solidarity between Muslim states, promote innovation and contribute to world peace.
The King went on to raise the challenges facing the world today and the disruption of supply chains, urging, in this connection, Muslim states to encourage trade by lifting barriers.
Amid the surge of hate speech, the King warned of its risk in stoking instability and violence and condemned the profanation acts targeting the Holy Quran in recent years.
He deplored the use of anti-Islam rhetoric during elections and recalled the need to implement a UN resolution, initiated by Morocco in July 2023, that calls for fighting hate speech via interreligious and intercultural dialogue.
