"In line with the High Vision of His Majesty King Mohammed VI, the Kingdom of Morocco is ready to share its experience to strengthen the partnership with Indonesia and friendly African countries within the framework of South-South and trilateral cooperation," stated Nasser Bourita, Minister of Foreign Affairs, African Cooperation, and Moroccan Expatriates, on Monday in Bali.
Speaking at the opening of the second edition of the Indonesia-Africa Forum (IAF), Bourita, who represents His Majesty the King at this event, indicated that this cooperation could notably include the implementation of the Royal Initiative to promote access for Sahel countries to the Atlantic Ocean. This initiative aims to make Morocco's roads, ports, and rail networks available to landlocked Sahelian states, and the Morocco-Nigeria gas pipeline project, which is a key lever for stimulating integrated regional growth in the Atlantic zone.
This cooperation could also involve the areas of food security, the development and modernization of African agriculture, particularly in the current geostrategic context, as well as investment in the health sector and health sovereignty, given its close link with the economic and social development of the continent's countries, added the minister.
On this occasion, Bourita noted that the IAF constitutes an exemplary model of South-South cooperation, capable of addressing the challenges faced by both parties by moving beyond traditional approaches to cooperation and adopting new, inclusive, innovative, and integrated formulas.
In this regard, he expressed his wish to make this forum a true crucible for coordinating fruitful and constructive cooperation through the strengthening of Indonesian investments in Africa and the establishment of bilateral and trilateral partnerships in promising and vital sectors such as infrastructure, industry, technology, renewable energy, tourism, and artificial intelligence, to stimulate development and create more job opportunities on the continent.
The minister also mentioned the creation of a regular economic forum with the participation of the private sector, and cooperation to address global challenges, particularly water scarcity, which poses a serious threat to progress, economic and social development, as well as the security and stability of countries. He recalled the latest speech by His Majesty the King, in which the Sovereign emphasized "the importance of water resource management, the need to redouble efforts and vigilance, devise innovative solutions, and align management models with the principles of good governance."
Furthermore, he praised the successful organization of this Forum, highlighting that Morocco's firm commitment to participating in this event stems from the close friendship with Indonesia, driven by the leadership of both heads of state, King Mohammed VI and President Joko Widodo, as well as the importance that the Kingdom places on the security, stability, and progress of the African continent, and the promotion of South-South cooperation.
Regarding the theme of this Forum, "The Spirit of the Bandung Conference for Africa's Agenda 2063," Bourita noted that it is deeply inspired by this conference, a major event that marked the dialogue on peace and the strengthening of economic and cultural cooperation between African and Asian countries.
The minister also emphasized that Indonesia's position as an influential power, committed to supporting the stability, national sovereignty, and territorial integrity of all countries on the continent, as well as its commitment to strengthening cooperation with African nations within a mutually beneficial framework, adds substantial value to this partnership, which aims to promote development, progress, and prosperity for both parties.
