Morocco’s southern provinces have now become a pillar of African and global integration, said Jean-Paul Carteron, Founder and President of the Crans Montana Forum, on Thursday in Casablanca, pointing out that this stems from the visionary leadership of King Mohammed VI.
Royal diplomacy has played a decisive role in this progress, he emphasized during a press conference dedicated to presenting the upcoming edition of the Forum, scheduled to take place from April 24 to 26 in Casablanca.
In this regard, he recalled the Royal Initiative aimed at facilitating access for Sahel countries to the Atlantic Ocean, highlighting its positive impact on maritime security and the opening up of the region.
Carteron noted, in this perspective, that this year's Forum will feature several sessions dedicated to the Royal Vision for promoting the Atlantic as a lever for economic and social development, as well as the strategic role of the new Dakhla port, a key element for the development of West Africa and regional integration.
He also emphasized that the Forum aligns with efforts to strengthen ties between Morocco and Sub-Saharan Africa.
Furthermore, Carteron stressed the critical importance of maritime security for the continent’s development, reminding that 90% of Africa’s economy depends on maritime circulation.
In this context, he outlined several major challenges hindering the smooth flow of maritime navigation, such as terrorism and organized crime. "Securing maritime routes is essential for Africa's development," he added.
