Morocco plays bridging role at the 4th Europe-Africa Forum
Morocco has demonstrated its geostrategic importance, playing a key role in the recent Europe-Africa forum, claims Moroccan government friendly Atalayar on May 8th.
The 4th edition of the forum took place in Marseille and brought together leaders, investors and policy makers from across Africa and Europe to discuss relations between the two continents.
Discussions themed around cooperation through innovation by drawing on the vast resources of both continents as well as on their strategic connection through the Mediterranean.
The emphasis on the Mediterranean as a key point of connection between the regions has made Morocco a vital player at the forum.
Underlining this vital position, one of Morocco’s representatives at the conference, Ali Seddiki, Director General of the Moroccan Agency for Investment and Export Development (AMDIE), made a point of highlighting Morocco’s role as a strategic bridge and advocated for inclusive and sustainable shared prosperity between the two continents.
Also among those representing the kingdom were Minister of Energy Transition and Sustainable Development Leila Benali; Minister of Investment, Convergence and Evaluation of Public Policies Karim Zidane; and Ambassador to France, Samira Sitaïl.
The forum highlighted a number of key areas including innovation, intercontinental cooperation, the role of education and business, and the potential of Mediterranean ports as models for sustainability. In particular, delegates discussed the importance of the African Union’s Agenda 2063 as a blueprint for the transformation of the continent.
As Africa becomes home to an increasing proportion of the world’s young people, youth investment was another key talking point. Also discussed was the potential for satellite technology to boost the continent’s agricultural sector.
Karim Zidane, Morocco’s Minister of Investment, Convergence and Public Policy Evaluation, emphasised Morocco’s ambitious and leading role in many of these areas, particularly as a driver of investment and sustainable and inclusive development.
Meanwhile, Leila Benali, Minister of Energy Transition and Sustainable Development, highlighted Morocco’s potential to help build durable and sustainable supply chains between Europe and Africa, as a producer of renewable energy at a third of the cost of nuclear energy in much of Europe.
Morocco is a growing regional leader in sustainable energy production thanks to its abundant access to solar and wind and strong commitment to innovation in this area. This, coupled with its extensive infrastructure links with Europe, is providing one such area in which Morocco is becoming a vital strategic link between Europe and Africa.
Atalayar/Maghrebi
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