Moroccan foreign policy focuses importance of South-South cooperation

Speakers at a roundtable discussion in Helsinki underscored the importance of South-South cooperation, which is not only a diplomatic principle, bit also a fundamental pillar of Morocco’s international and continental vision.

The discussion entitled "Bridging South and North: The Importance of South-South Cooperation in Moroccan Foreign Policy" organized by the Embassy of the Kingdom of Morocco to Finland on Friday.

The discussants specifically focused on South-South cooperation in international relations, with particular emphasis on Morocco’s leadership in this field at both the continental and multilateral levels.

Mohamed Achgalou, Ambassador of the Kingdom of Morocco, delivered a keynote address highlighting the foundations and strategic significance of this cooperation mechanism, enshrined in the Moroccan Constitution as a core pillar of the country’s foreign policy.

He stressed that South-South cooperation is not merely a matter of diplomatic principle, but a fundamental pillar of Morocco’s international and continental vision, guided by the foresight of King Mohammed VI.

He emphasized the importance of engagement based on mutual interest, balanced partnerships, and shared values, while reaffirming Morocco’s pragmatic approach rooted in universal principles of democracy and respect for human rights.

As a concrete example, the Ambassador presented the Royal Atlantic Africa Initiative, launched in 2023 by the King.

“Aimed at supporting landlocked Sahel countries by facilitating access to the Atlantic Ocean, this initiative reflects a new doctrine of development and cooperation that transcends traditional paradigms. It seeks to promote an ambitious, realistic, and unifying vision centered on shared prosperity, regional integration, and sustainable human development,” said the Ambassador.

The cultural and academic dimensions of cooperation were also strongly emphasized, particularly through the promotion of the arts, intercultural dialogue, and human exchange, he added.

According to Dr. Thomas Babila Sama, professor of social sciences at the University of Helsinki, this dimension is essential to fostering mutual understanding and building lasting ties between African and European societies.

The discussions also addressed several current challenges in global crisis management.

Tiina Kukkamaa-Bah, Senior Adviser for Sahel countries at the Martti Ahtisaari Peace Foundation (CMI), expressed concerns over the increasing reliance on the use of force over dialogue, the fragmentation of mediation mechanisms, and the weakening role of the United Nations in conflict prevention and resolution.

In this regard, the Ambassador said, “There is no such thing as a good war, just as there is no such thing as a bad peace. Only the peaceful resolution of conflicts, based on freedom, respect for fundamental rights, and the full recognition of states’ sovereignty and territorial integrity, can ensure sustainable development, genuine peace, and lasting security.”

The speakers also a addressed migration as a global, structural, and irreversible phenomenon.

According to the Ambassador, this human reality requires a humane, collective, fair, and pragmatic response, grounded in international solidarity, shared responsibility, and the promotion of human dignity.

Among the main recommendations emerging from the discussion, emphasis was placed on the need to promote fair and balanced economic partnerships based on mutual benefit.

The inclusion of the private sector was recognized as vital to the dynamism of South-South cooperation, alongside the adoption of good governance standards as a prerequisite for sustainable development.

The roundtable also highlighted the importance of enhancing South-South and North-South capital flows, particularly through loans, foreign direct investment, and the creation of a secure environment conducive to entrepreneurial growth.