Casablanca Hosts African Conference on Cooperation in Hydrography, Oceanography, and Marine Cartography
In line with the high directives of His Majesty King Mohammed VI, may God assist him, Supreme Commander and Chief of Staff of the Royal Armed Forces, the city of Casablanca will host the African Conference on Cooperation in Hydrography, Oceanography, and Marine Cartography from October 8 to 10, 2025.
The conference is organized by the National Defense Administration and the Royal Navy as part of Morocco’s presidency of the Eastern Atlantic Hydrographic Committee (CHAtO) for the period 2024–2026. It will bring together officials and experts from several African countries and specialized international organizations.
The session opened with official remarks from the Minister Delegate to the Head of Government responsible for National Defense Administration, as well as the Ministers of Equipment and Water, Higher Education and Scientific Research, and Transport and Logistics, along with the Inspector General of the Royal Navy.
Attendees include representatives from the African member states of the CHAtO, the Director of the International Hydrographic Organization (IHO), the Director of the Regional Center for Electronic Chart Distribution in Norway, and representatives from the Hydrographic Service of the French Navy. National Moroccan institutions also participate, including the National Committee for Coordination in Hydrography and Oceans (CNCHOC), the National Office of Hydrocarbons and Mining, and the Center for Policies for the New South.
The conference aims to enhance African cooperation in these fields and establish a platform for dialogue and the exchange of expertise on maritime safety, the development of the blue economy, and the sustainable management of marine resources. It will also discuss the needs of African countries in capacity building and developing competencies.
Discussions will focus on Morocco’s pioneering models in the maritime field, particularly the Atlantic Royal Initiative and the Nigeria-Morocco Gas Pipeline project, viewed as cornerstones for regional integration and joint development.
The agenda includes a field visit aboard the hydro-oceanographic vessel “Casablanca” from the Royal Navy to review its advanced surveying and measuring equipment.
