Rabat — Morocco is positioning itself as one of the international top leaders in security. Top Moroccan security officials traveled to Moscow this week to represent the North African country at a major international security conference.
Abdellatif Hammouchi, Director General of National Security and Territorial Surveillance (DGSN), attended the 13th International Meeting of Senior Officials for Security and Intelligence Issues from May 27-29.
Morocco calls for shared security cooperation
During the forum, Hammouchi urged countries to work together to address growing strategic risks and threats, pointing out that neutralizing these dangers starts with creating a shared security structure that cannot be divided.
“National security and intelligence services must contribute through close cooperation and coordination with their counterparts in various countries around the world,” he said.
The Moroccan official stressed that fair and equal cooperation between countries determines whether any shared security structure succeeds in facing strategic threats and challenges in today’s world.
“In an open world characterized by constant movement of people across national borders and marked by criminal entities and virtual criminal infrastructure networks, we must create shared security fronts capable of containing and keeping pace with international preparations for security threats,” Hammouchi noted.
He added that early warning duties and shared responsibilities require countries to exchange information about all detected or potential security threats.
He said nations must share this information securely and immediately to achieve collective security based on win-win principles.
Bilateral security meetings
On the sidelines of the international forum, Hammouchi held intensive bilateral meetings and discussions with heads and members of various security and intelligence agencies from friendly countries.
These included meetings with Russia’s Federal Security Service (FSB).
The bilateral talks focused on examining issues of mutual interest and ways to strengthen cooperation in facing emerging risks and threats.
Morocco’s international security role
During the forum, Hammouchi delivered detailed remarks about Morocco’s security vision and shared concrete data about international threats. He emphasized that Morocco understands well that neutralizing growing strategic risks and threats requires adopting a shared strategic security structure.
International Criminal Networks Target Morocco
Hammouchi outlined striking statistics that reveal the international connections of strategic threats, noting that Moroccan security services arrested 62 foreigners from 25 different countries during 2024 and the first three months of 2025.
According to the security official, these individuals tried to infiltrate through border crossings while fleeing international arrest warrants issued by competent authorities in countries across four continents, namely Europe, Asia, Africa, and America.
“The basic observation is that all these arrested foreigners were involved in serious threats and crimes,” Hammouchi explained.
The arrested individuals’ crimes included connections to armed criminal groups, premeditated murder in the context of settling accounts, cybercrime, sexual assault on children, money laundering, and illegal drug trafficking.
Hammouchi noted that most of these internationally wanted individuals benefited from networks that forged identity documents and travel papers. This facilitated their movement and travel across national borders between countries, highlighting the organized nature of international crime.
This visit reflects Morocco’s distinguished position and active role in international security cooperation.
It also demonstrates the credibility that Moroccan security services enjoy with their international partners as a key player in joint efforts to maintain international security and stability.
The participation reflects Morocco’s commitment to multilateral security cooperation and its recognition as a reliable partner in addressing global security challenges.
Sergei Shoigu, Secretary of Russia’s Security Council, chaired the forum sessions, with the attendance of the country’s Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov.
The forum provides a platform for general sessions and specialized workshops covering various global security issues.
Participants discussed the growing threats of terrorism, including new regional strongholds and emerging terrorist organization centers. They also addressed growing risks from cybercrime and cyberattacks targeting critical infrastructure in different countries.
