Morocco’s Commitment to Africa at the Heart of Two High-Level Meetings on the Sidelines of the Third United Nations Ocean Conference
Morocco’s commitment to Africa and its efforts to establish inclusive ocean governance were at the center of two high-level meetings held yesterday, Tuesday, in Nice, on the sidelines of the Third United Nations Ocean Conference.
During her participation in these two side events, Zakia Driouich, Secretary of State in charge of Maritime Fisheries, emphasized the convergence of efforts by countries, environmental institutions, and civil society actors to make the ocean a lever for sustainable development, regional integration, and the strengthening of South-South solidarity.
The first meeting, organized by the Mohammed VI Foundation for Environmental Protection under the theme “Innovation in Africa to Accelerate the Implementation of SDG 14 Globally,” was an opportunity for the Secretary of State to reaffirm Morocco’s commitment to achieving this goal through innovation and collaboration across the African continent.
Ms. Driouich praised the pioneering role of the Foundation, highlighting the African ambition to build a solidarity-based oceanic governance, embodied by the “Blue Africa” Summit and the Tangier Declaration. She also stressed the importance of integrating technological, social, and institutional innovation into the core of African maritime strategies, while calling for increased African representation in international bodies and genuine recognition of the continent’s potential.
She affirmed that Morocco is strengthening its position as a key player in ocean diplomacy, placing this marine space at the service of sustainable development, peace, and the sovereignty of African states.
The second side event was organized by the Department of Maritime Fisheries under the theme: “Africa’s Blue Ambition at the Third United Nations Ocean Conference: Morocco’s Commitment to Regional Cooperation.”
This meeting highlighted Morocco’s leading role in promoting inclusive ocean governance based on science, diplomacy, the blue economy, and South-South cooperation.
It also served as a platform to advocate for Africa’s position as a recognized and proactive force on the international stage in the field of sustainable ocean governance.
These two events are part of the Atlantic vision of His Majesty King Mohammed VI and contributed to emphasizing Africa’s priorities at the Third United Nations Ocean Conference, reinforcing regional coordination in the field of the blue economy, and supporting the implementation of international actions in favor of the ocean.
The Third United Nations Ocean Conference brings together over 50 Heads of State and Government, and more than 1,500 delegates representing around 200 countries, to discuss issues including sustainable fishing, marine pollution, and the interactions between climate change and biodiversity.
It is worth noting that this session follows the previous editions held in New York in 2017 and Lisbon in 2022, and is considered a “pivotal moment” in the global agenda for ocean governance, amid growing challenges related to climate change, rising sea levels, marine pollution, and illegal and overfishing.
#almouhitalfilah