Morocco strengthens UN partnership on artificial intelligence
On the sidelines of the United Nations Open Source Week, held at UN Headquarters in New York, Morocco’s minister of Digital Transition and Administration Reform, Amal El Fallah Seghrouchni, held a series of high-level bilateral meetings with senior United Nations officials, as reported by the Moroccan government friendly North Africa Post on June 28th.
The discussions aimed to strengthen the Kingdom’s strategic partnerships in the fields of digital governance, artificial intelligence, sovereign infrastructure and international cooperation for development.
During a meeting with the United Nations Under-Secretary-General and Special Envoy for Digital and Emerging Technologies, Amandeep Singh Gill, and Amal El Fallah Seghrouchni presented the key pillars of Morocco’s AI strategy through 2030, driven by the “AI Made in Morocco” initiative, as well as the Kingdom’s goal to promote a “third digital path” that reconciles technological sovereignty, open innovation and international cooperation.
The talks additionally focused on Morocco’s leading initiatives, such as its partnership with Mistral AI, participation in the European AI Factories initiative, the development of the Digital for Sustainable Development Hub (D4SD), and the Al Jazari ecosystem, as well as increased cooperation with the United Nations in open source technologies and AI governance.
Seghrouchni also met with UN Assistant Secretary-General and Director of the Regional Bureau for Africa at the UN Development Program, Ahunna Eziakonwa, as a way to discuss the strengthening of cooperation between Morocco and Timbuktoo, UNDP’s flagship pan-African initiative with the aim of building an integrated African innovation market. The discussions showcased Morocco’s assets to host a hub dedicated to smart cities and intelligent mobility.
The minister also held talks with UN Assistant Secretary-General and Chief Information Technology Officer Bernardo Mariano Jr, during which the two officials spoke on digital infrastructure, digital sovereignty, data factories, and the conditions that would be required to develop a trustworthy AI.
Both sides shared a common vision for stronger African cooperation on the digital front, including data governance, and the certification of open-source software and AI systems.
The discussions further explored opportunities offered by the Digital Public Goods Registry to promote digital solutions developed by Moroccan companies and startups, as well as ongoing UN efforts to adapt international standards to AI systems.
Through this series of high-level meetings, Morocco reaffirmed its role as a strategic United Nations partner in advancing a more inclusive and responsible global digital governance framework. The Kingdom also continues to strengthen itself as a regional platform for innovation, cooperation and capacity development serving both Africa and the Arab world.
North Africa Post, Maghrebi.org.
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