Morocco has once again called for giving Africa the role it deserves in international affairs, stressing the critical need to allow the continent play its rightful role in tackling global challenges.
Morocco is convinced that Africa can no longer be seen as a burden on the global community – the continent must play its role in tackling global challenges, including broader development, said Morocco’s Foreign Minister, Nasser Bourita, while addressing the UN General Assembly’s annual general debate.
“Africa has not held its rightful place in the [international arena]. It should not be dealt with based only on how much assistance it receives, or how “many agenda items it takes up” at UN meetings. Indeed, Africa is imbued with immense human and natural resources, he said.
With the world at a crossroads – battered by climate change, threatened by terrorism and extremism, and struggling with deepening inequality – it is not only time to bolster multilateral cooperation, but to make use of the vital capacities that can be provided by the dynamism of the African continent, he said.
Nasser Bourita cited a raft of global ills, and noted that while globalization has driven the international economy it has also increased employment instability and widened the economic gaps between and within nations. Similarly, the Internet has created unprecedented opportunities for growth and development but it has also provided a space for extremists and terrorist groups to promote their nefarious aims.
In that regard, Morocco viewed South-South cooperation as a major opportunity for forming development partnerships that could assist African countries, bolster foreign direct investment and increase African participation, with increased equal footing, in global mechanisms.
In this vein, Bourita dwelt on Morocco’s Africa-oriented strategy, recalling the guidelines spelled out in the royal speech delivered on August 20, 2016 in which King Mohammed VI stated that “Morocco does not view Africa as a market for the sale and promotion of Moroccan products, or as a continent for making quick profit. We see Africa as a forum for joint action, for promoting development in the region, and for serving African citizens.”
The Minister also highlighted the south-south cooperation approach governing Morocco’s ties with African countries, ushered thanks to a forward-looking Royal vision, saying that this cooperation took shape through several structural projects and partnerships aiming at boosting development efforts, promoting regional economic integration and creating wealth.
Morocco has also sealed agreements and partnerships to help several African states address key challenges relating notably to job creation, food security and promoting investments, he said.