Morocco and Britain Initiate a New Era of Strategic Partnership Following the UN Resolution on Western Sahara
High-ranking Moroccan and British officials discussed the prospects of partnership between Morocco and the United Kingdom yesterday in London, following the adoption by the Security Council of the historic Resolution 2797 regarding the Moroccan Sahara. The meeting, organized by the Moroccan Embassy in the British capital in partnership with the prestigious Middle East Association, celebrated the 50th anniversary of the Green March.
The event saw the attendance of representatives from the British government, members of the House of Lords and Parliament, as well as ambassadors, academics, and researchers from think tanks, in a discussion highlighting the shared vision for the strength and evolution of Moroccan-British relations toward a comprehensive strategic partnership.
In his speech, Morocco’s Ambassador to the United Kingdom, Hakim Hajoui, emphasized that this commemoration symbolizes the unity and identity of the Moroccan nation, pointing out that Morocco, under the wise leadership of His Majesty King Mohammed VI, has transformed its southern regions into a promising economic space through significant investments in energy, trade, and green industries.
He noted that UN Resolution 2797 strengthens the ongoing realistic process based on the Moroccan sovereignty initiative for autonomy, considering it the only practical solution for achieving lasting peace. He added, “What lies beyond October 31, 2025, marks the beginning of a new phase in modern Moroccan history,” recalling the King’s announcement of “Unity Day” as a national occasion to commemorate this turning point.
Hajoui highlighted the qualitative development in bilateral relations since June, following the initiation of a new phase of strategic partnership between Rabat and London, which aims to enhance diplomatic and economic cooperation while benefiting from Morocco’s position as a bridge between the Middle East, Africa, and the Atlantic space.
He confirmed that the future partnership between the two countries opens up promising avenues in areas of security, defense, counter-terrorism, and migration, in addition to trade and investment cooperation, especially in the water, energy, and transport sectors, with significant opportunities for British companies in preparation for the 2030 FIFA World Cup.
Under the slogan “Morocco and the United Kingdom: Initiating a New Era of Partnership,” former British ministers and ambassadors, including Lord Daniel Hannan, Sir Liam Fox, and Tobias Ellwood, discussed various aspects of bilateral cooperation, commending the recent UN resolution and the insightful Moroccan diplomacy led by His Majesty King Mohammed VI.
Participants highlighted developmental achievements in the southern regions since their recovery, considering them a leading developmental model in the region. They called on the British business community to explore the massive investment potential that Morocco offers in major sectors such as aviation, clean energy, infrastructure, and tourism.
The meeting concluded with a presentation of an institutional film documenting the epic of the Green March and showcasing the developmental transformations that have made the southern regions a strategic platform towards Africa and the Atlantic space.
