The Atlantic Royal Initiative Leads the Africa-CARICOM Summit as a Lever for Shared Development
In the context of the renewed dynamics in relationships between the African and Caribbean continents, the second Africa-CARICOM Summit, held in Addis Ababa, served as an opportunity to highlight Morocco’s pioneering role through the Atlantic Royal Initiative, seen as a model for South-South cooperation based on solidarity and effectiveness.
During the summit, Morocco’s Permanent Representative to the African Union and the Economic Commission for Africa, Mohamed Arrouchi, emphasized that this initiative, which aligns with the enlightened vision of His Majesty King Mohammed VI, is not limited to providing landlocked African countries access to the Atlantic Ocean, but also aims to establish an integrated network of infrastructure that will transform the Atlantic into a space for exchange and mutual prosperity between Africa and the Caribbean region.
Arrouchi, who led the Moroccan delegation, added that Morocco places inter-African cooperation and partnerships with global Southern countries at the core of its foreign policy, aligning with the royal vision aimed at enhancing solidarity and achieving joint development.
Conversely, the Moroccan diplomat pointed out that economic exchanges between Africa and the Caribbean remain limited compared to available potentials, necessitating an enhancement of the practical dimension of this partnership.
He also stressed that activating South-South cooperation in priority areas outlined in the first summit’s declaration—such as trade, agriculture, energy, health, education, and communication—is a strategic necessity to ensure both regions are equipped to face challenges and build a sustainable and integrated development model.
