Speaking at the inaugural session of the 7th edition of the “Morocco Today Forum” (MTF) held under the High Patronage of His Majesty King Mohammed VI, Ms. Benali stressed that Morocco is resolutely committed to developing and making available its road, port, rail, air and energy infrastructures to realize this Royal Vision.
This ambitious project will transform the Atlantic coast into a high place of human communion, a pole of economic integration and a center of continental and international influence, the government official said.
“This Initiative does not only emanate from a traditional geographical neighbourhood policy, but above all from a deep conviction of historical, cultural, political and geostrategic belonging,” she said, noting that the countries of the region share common aspirations and a collective will to promote sustainable development.
“Africa faces many challenges, including poor access to modern energy and dependence on imported fossil fuels,” she regretted, noting however that the region presents many opportunities in the renewable energy sector.
In this vein, Mrs. Benali stressed the importance of focusing on innovative solutions in renewable energies and increasing international partnerships and foreign investments in this sector, with a view to solving the problems of “poverty and energy insecurity” which are increasing in the region.
For his part, the Minister of Transport and Equipment of the Republic of Niger, Colonel Major Salissou Mahaman Salissou indicated that the Royal Initiative to facilitate access to the Atlantic Ocean for the Sahel countries illustrates the firm will of the Kingdom to promote the development of the continent.
Mr. Salissou called, in this sense, “the countries of the Sahel to mobilize innovative and bold solutions based on a spirit of sincere cooperation and co-development, in order to succeed in this vision of solidarity which can only be beneficial to our populations.”
“Niger reiterated its commitment to this Initiative during the Ministerial Coordination Meeting which was organized in Marrakech,” he recalled, adding that this cooperation will allow the Sahel countries to better exploit and invest their resources.
Furthermore, the various speakers during this inaugural session were unanimous in emphasizing that the Royal Initiative is an extension of Morocco’s active commitment, under the leadership of HM King Mohammed VI, in favor of active and united South-South cooperation.
The panelists also noted that this initiative, which is in line with the expectations of the countries of Atlantic Africa, opens up promising prospects in terms of economic integration, stability, peace and development.
Also taking part in this inaugural session of the 7th edition of the MTF were the Secretary of State for Infrastructure, in charge of road maintenance in the Republic of Chad, Haoua Abdelkerim Ahmadaye, the Senior Director of the Atlantic Council, Rama Yade, and the President of the General Confederation of Moroccan Enterprises (CGEM), Chakib Alj.
Placed under the theme “Atlantic Africa, for an integrated, inclusive and prosperous continental region”, this international conference initiated by the Le Matin Group, in partnership with the Moroccan Agency for International Cooperation (AMCI) and the Council of the Dakhla-Oued Eddahab region, aims to discuss the potential, the means to be put in place and the challenges to be met, with a view to realizing the Royal Vision for the development of the Atlantic coast of Africa and the access of the Sahel countries to it.
It also aims to bring together all the stakeholders concerned by this Royal Vision and discuss the challenges to be met to make it a reality, in order to formulate recommendations which will be recorded in a white paper.
2024-09-11 21:20:26