Turkmenistan: Morocco Prioritizes Cooperation with Landlocked Countries
Transport and Logistics Minister Abdessamad Guirouh reaffirmed Morocco’s commitment to collaborating with landlocked countries, particularly in Africa, as a strategic priority in Moroccan foreign policy. This statement was made during his participation in the Third United Nations Conference on Landlocked Developing Countries, held in Awaza, Turkmenistan.
The minister emphasized that Morocco, under the wise leadership of King Mohammed VI, continues to provide tangible support to these countries through developmental projects within the framework of South-South cooperation and trilateral partnerships, aimed at improving the lives of populations and enhancing economic capacities.
He pointed out that the royal initiative to enable Sahel countries to access the Atlantic Ocean reflects this vision by sharing Morocco’s infrastructure and expanding opportunities for cooperation to foster comprehensive and integrated development, allowing these countries to strengthen their strategic independence and engage effectively in global value chains.
Guirouh presented several pioneering Moroccan initiatives in this area, including the three climate committees, the Climate Competence Center, and trilateral initiatives focused on adapting agriculture to climate changes and enhancing sustainability and security in Africa, alongside the African Youth Climate Platform.
According to the minister, Morocco welcomed the adoption of the new “Awaza” action plan for the 2024-2034 decade, considering it a collective will to support development in landlocked countries through priorities that include strengthening road, energy, and economic connectivity.
He called for mobilizing international partners, particularly the United Nations, to realize commitments and support investment in development projects targeted at these countries, noting the need to overcome the challenges they face, from geographic isolation and high transit costs to their vulnerability to global fluctuations.
The minister affirmed that Morocco will continue its policy of solidarity cooperation by sharing its expertise and developing bilateral and international relations to promote comprehensive development in landlocked developing countries.
Morocco’s delegation at the conference includes, alongside the Transport and Logistics Minister, the permanent representative to the United Nations, Omar Hilal, the Moroccan ambassador to Kazakhstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, and Kyrgyzstan, Mohamed Rashid Malininou, along with several officials and diplomats.
