His Majesty King Mohammed VI has addressed a message to the participants of the “Africa for the Ocean” summit, co-chaired today in Nice by Her Royal Highness Princess Lalla Hasnaa, representing His Majesty the King, and French President Emmanuel Macron.
Below is the text of the royal message read by Her Royal Highness Princess Lalla Hasnaa:
“Praise be to God, and peace and blessings be upon our master, the Messenger of God, and upon his family and companions.
His Excellency the President of the French Republic,
Excellencies and Honorable Heads of States and Governments,
Mr. Chairperson of the African Union Commission,
Honorable Ministers,
Excellencies and Distinguished Guests,
Ladies and Gentlemen,
I would like to start by commending the personal commitment of His Excellency Emmanuel Macron, President of the French Republic, towards ocean issues. This commitment aligns perfectly with the current context wherein the robust African continent, with its voices, qualifications, and vision, seeks to assert its decisive influence on its maritime destiny.
On this occasion, I would like to extend my gratitude to my African brothers and esteemed figures on the continent for their participation in this unprecedented summit, dedicated to our shared coastline stretching over 30,000 kilometers.
Excellencies and Distinguished Guests,
Ladies and Gentlemen,
Despite their rich resources, African seas and oceans remain vulnerable and fragile. Although they hold strategic importance, they are not being optimally invested in. Despite their promising potentials, they receive little of the necessary protection. This paradox compels us to shift from a logic of potential to one of ownership.
The environment remains a fundamental pillar of ocean governance, which should not be viewed solely from this angle. The ocean represents our food sovereignty, the backbone of our resilience against climate change, and the foundation of our energy security and regional cohesion. It also reflects our identity, our consumption patterns, and the legacy we leave for future generations.
In this regard, Morocco calls for a review of the African maritime role strategy framed around three axes:
First, a Blue Growth.
The blue economy is no longer an environmental luxury but has become a strategic necessity. Sustainable aquaculture, marine renewable energies, maritime industries, marine biotechnology, and responsible coastal tourism are all sectors that promise a better future, provided we structure, connect, and view them as part of a value chain, supported by necessary investments and suitable standards.
This is the essence of the national strategy that Morocco envisions and is working to implement as a driver for growth, social integration, and human development.
In this spirit, the Kingdom of Morocco has launched numerous structuring projects, resulting, in particular, in the reconfiguration of the national port landscape, such as the major container port at Tangier Med, and the future ports of Nador West Med and Dakhla Atlantic, which will rely on a vast logistical and industrial system.
Second, Enhanced South-South Cooperation and Regional Integration around Ocean Spaces.
Efforts must be consolidated, as we face a challenge that is not confined to the national level but includes the continental level as well. The shared ownership of the Atlantic Ocean alone is insufficient; we must think collectively about this ocean and manage and protect it jointly. There is no alternative to a coordinated African approach to enhance marine value chains, secure trade routes, and obtain a fairer share of the global ocean wealth.
Thus, Africa must be an active player in protecting marine biodiversity, genetic resources, and marine protected areas. It must also have security mechanisms that align with its needs and unify its voice on international issues related to ocean affairs.
Third, Maritime Efficiency through Integrated Policies regarding the Atlantic Ocean.
The geopolitical dynamics in Africa should not be subject to geographical rigidity or past tensions. The Atlantic coast of Africa has not received adequate attention, while it is rich in limitless potentials, capable of breaking isolation, ensuring passage, and accommodating future expectations.
This is the perspective from which we launched the Initiative of Atlantic African States, aiming to make the Atlantic Ocean front a space for strategic dialogue, collective security, and economic movement and integration, based on unprecedented governance that is collective, mobilizing, and practical.
Our vision for Atlantic Africa, which we want to contribute to enhancing the Atlantic Ocean, is not limited to the coastal nations alone but also extends to the neighboring Sahel countries, which must provide a structured and reliable maritime outlet.
In line with this vision, founded on solidarity and common prosperity, we have also launched the African Atlantic Gas Pipeline project as a pathway for energy connectivity and a lever to create new geopolitical opportunities in West Africa.
Excellencies and Distinguished Guests,
Ladies and Gentlemen,
The sea has been and remains a connection and shared horizon; it is our duty to protect and manage it well to make it a space for peace, stability, and development. Africa, whose strength lies in the unity of its voice, is at the heart of this ambitious project. Morocco is firmly committed to playing its part in this collective endeavor, supported by its coastline that stretches over 3,500 kilometers and approximately 1.2 million square kilometers of maritime space.
May peace, mercy, and blessings of God be upon you.”
