South-South Cooperation: A Cornerstone of Moroccan Diplomacy

Certainly! Here’s the translated article:

Rabat: South-South Cooperation as a Fundamental Strategic Axis of Royal Diplomacy

Rabat – South-South cooperation serves as a fundamental strategic axis of Royal Diplomacy, affirmed Omar Hilale, Morocco’s permanent ambassador to the United Nations, on Saturday in Rabat. He emphasized that the development of the Kingdom is closely linked to that of its regional environment.

Morocco: A Key Player in International Partnerships

Speaking at a panel titled “North-South Transatlantic Partnerships: Between Expectations and Realities,” organized as part of the 14th edition of the Atlantic Dialogues international conference by the Policy Center for the New South, Mr. Hilale highlighted Morocco’s pioneering role in international cooperation, particularly in South-South initiatives.

Thanks to its geostrategic position, bridging the Atlantic, the Mediterranean, Europe, Africa, the Middle East, and the Americas, the Kingdom stands out as a natural link between various regions of the world.

Toward a New Global Economic Paradigm

The Moroccan ambassador advocated for a profound change in the paradigms of international economic relations, calling for Southern countries to gain full access to their own development opportunities. This includes shared financing, technology transfer, participation in projects, and equitable access to markets.

He stressed the need to move beyond an economic model that confines the South to raw material exports, citing Morocco’s example of transforming phosphate into fertilizers and chemicals while exporting its expertise within the framework of South-South cooperation.

A Win-Win Cooperation for Africa

This win-win approach is also reflected in the initiative by His Majesty King Mohammed VI aimed at facilitating Sahel countries’ access to the Atlantic Ocean. According to Mr. Hilale, Morocco’s port, rail, and highway infrastructure has made it a strategic hub for the development of Sahelian countries and the African Atlantic coastline.

Digitization at the Heart of Regional Cooperation

The ambassador also underscored the technological dimension of this cooperation by mentioning the launch of the Hub Morocco Digital for Sustainable Development (D4SD), aimed at accelerating digital transformation in Africa and the Arab world.

This initiative, which aligns with His Majesty King Mohammed VI’s vision, positions Morocco as a regional and continental catalyst for inclusive and sustainable digital transformation.

Reconciling Southern Expectations with Northern Interests

Finally, discussions highlighted the need to align the expectations of the South with the realities and strategic interests of the North, in order to build stronger transatlantic partnerships within a multipolar international context.

This translation captures the essence, tone, and intent of the original French article while ensuring it reads naturally in English.