The United Nations headquarters in New York hosted a high-level ministerial event organized by Morocco on Thursday, on the sidelines of the 80th General Assembly, in partnership with the Economic Commission for Africa and the South-South Cooperation Office, under the theme “African Connectivity: The Path to Continental Integration.” The meeting emphasized the kingdom’s role as a driver of regional integration on the continent.
The meeting was chaired by Nasser Bourita, Minister of Foreign Affairs, African Cooperation, and Moroccan Expatriates, with participation from prominent ministers and UN officials. Speakers praised Morocco’s vision in developing infrastructure and enhancing intra-African trade, considering the Moroccan experience a model to emulate on the continent.
Niger’s Foreign Minister, Bacari Yaou Sangaré, highlighted the royal initiative aimed at facilitating access for Sahel countries to the Atlantic Ocean, viewing it as a “strategic compass” for development and African unity. Meanwhile, the Executive Secretary of the Economic Commission for Africa, Carlos Lopes, noted that the meeting is taking place in a critical global context, warning against the persistent digital gap that hinders the continent’s potential.
Rola Dashti, Executive Secretary of ESCWA, pointed out the low level of trade integration between Africa and the Arab region, with mutual exports not exceeding 5% of their total global trade. She noted Morocco’s superior facilitation of trade, which stands at 84%, compared to an average of 62% across Africa, asserting that this enhances the kingdom’s status as a leading model.
Representatives from Burkina Faso and Senegal, along with the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development, also stressed the importance of energy sovereignty and infrastructure as prerequisites for integration. Furthermore, the Office of the High Representative for Least Developed Countries announced the launch of a $130 billion investment fund under the “Oaza” program for 2025-2035, recalling Morocco’s successes in expanding electricity access in rural areas and transforming Tangier into a regional logistics hub.
