Key points of the speech of MFA Nasser Bourita during the 4th Ministerial Meeting of the Atlantic African States Process

1. The Atlantic is a space of interconnection between several states, regions and continents of the world. The challenges facing the Atlantic, whether of a security, environmental or other nature, transcend borders and call for cooperation to overcome them as effectively and harmoniously as possible.

2. Morocco is convinced that only collective and concerted action by Atlantic African states can promote stability and shared prosperity in our region. Federating our efforts is the only way to meet the multiple challenges facing the Atlantic African space, and to take advantage of its enormous opportunities for cooperation.

3. The Atlantic African States Process has made significant progress in consolidating its institutional and programmatic foundations, notably with the establishment of a secretariat, the creation of 3 Thematic Groups, the adoption of the Action Program, and the creation of the Forum of Ministers of Justice of our Process.

4. Today’s meeting marks an important step towards consolidating this partnership to make the Atlantic African region a zone of peace, stability and shared prosperity, notably through the adoption of the Action Plans of the three Thematic Groups, covering 1) political and security dialogue; 2) the blue economy, maritime connectivity and energy; and 3) sustainable development and the environment.

5. The search for partnerships, whether with actors from the South or the North, or with other international and multilateral players to implement our initiative, has been established as one of the founding principles of our Process. Our Process has signed a partnership document with the Atlantic Center of Portugal, a cooperation initiative that brings together more than twenty countries to help them tackle challenges such as maritime piracy, transnational organized crime, climate change and IUU fishing.

6. The involvement of the various ministerial departments in the implementation of our Atlantic Cooperation Process remains crucial. The meeting of the Ministers of Justice of our initiative, held in Rabat in April 2024, saw the launch of the Forum of Ministers of Justice aimed at strengthening the links of legal and judicial cooperation between our countries.