Rabat – Morocco has been among the first voices calling for pan-Atlantic cooperation between the four continents sharing the Atlantic, Morocco’s Permanent Representative for the UN, Omar Hilale, said on Friday.
Speaking at the 11th annual “ Atlantic Dialogues Conference” Hilale explained that Morocco has historically expressed interest in promoting pan-Atlantic cooperation. The country hosted the first Ministerial Conference of west African states in 2009.
Successful pan-Atlantic cooperation has much to offer to states sharing the Atlantic ocean, Hilale insisted, highlighting the myriad economic opportunities such an alliance could bring about The ocean currently supports economic activities that generate roughly 43% of the world’s Gross Domestic Production (GDP).
“The Atlantic brings together the richest and poorest states, the most stable and democratic states, as well as states with security problems,” Hilale said, pointing out the need of establishing dialogue for the different nations sharing the Atlantic.
According to Hilale, pan-Atlantic nations should find common grounds and capitalize on mutual interests in fields such as energy, sustainable development, and climate change, among others.
The Moroccan diplomat further stressed the need for North-South cooperation to guarantee the success of pan-Atlantic cooperation. “The South needs cooperation, technical assistance, and financing from the countries of the North. This is not assistance, but a cooperation of co-responsibility and partnership,” he argued.
Organized by the Moroccan think tank the Policy Center for the New South, the event aims to bring together around 350 high-level senior officials, business leaders, academics, and NGOs from the Atlantic space and from around the world.
“Morocco has been host to these gatherings given its location and close relations to all countries bordering the Atlantic,” the Policy Center for the New South said in a statement.
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