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Rabat – Morocco has reinforced international support for its sovereignty over Western Sahara and its autonomy plan during the 80th session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA), Moroccan Foreign Minister Nasser Bourita said on Friday in New York.
Speaking to the press on the sidelines of the high-level week, Bourita stated that Morocco’s participation in the UN session strengthened the global momentum launched by King Mohammed VI in support of the autonomy initiative.
“Over recent years, His Majesty the King has created a strong dynamic to promote the autonomy plan within the framework of Morocco’s national sovereignty and territorial unity, as the only basis for resolving the regional dispute over Western Sahara,” Bourita said.
The minister stated that this momentum was further reinforced through numerous bilateral meetings held during the General Assembly. He recalled the positions of major powers and influential countries that support Morocco’s national sovereignty and the autonomy plan, emphasizing growing international alignment behind Rabat’s approach.
Bourita especially mentioned the United States’ position, noting that Washington encourages investments across all of Morocco, including the southern provinces. He described this as an important step, calling it “an economic recognition of Morocco’s sovereignty over the southern provinces.”
Speaking in New York following a meeting with Bourita, US Special Advisor for Africa Massad Boulos said that Washington views the Moroccan initiative as the “sole basis” for ending the decades-long dispute.
Meanwhile, Deputy Secretary of State Christopher Landau said, “We are pleased to announce that we will encourage American companies wishing to invest in this region of Morocco.”
Bourita added that King Mohammed VI has consistently stressed that Morocco cannot engage in partnerships that would threaten its territorial unity. The Moroccan foreign minister concluded by noting that the official positions of the United Kingdom, France, and other countries now reinforce the view that Morocco’s southern regions represent opportunities for development, gateways to Africa, and avenues for strengthening partnerships with Morocco.
This renewed international support comes amid growing diplomatic recognition of Morocco’s autonomy plan and further solidifies Rabat’s position on the disputed territory, which remains a sensitive issue in regional and international politics.
During the 80th session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) in New York, several countries reiterated their support for Morocco’s sovereignty over Western Sahara and its autonomy plan.
Paraguay officially recognized Morocco’s sovereignty over the region and announced plans to open a consulate in the southern provinces. Foreign Minister Ruben Dario Ramirez Lezcano confirmed this stance during a meeting with Moroccan Foreign Minister Nasser Bourita on the sidelines of the UNGA
In addition, Panama and Suriname reaffirmed their support for Morocco’s autonomy plan during discussions at the UNGA. These countries emphasized the importance of Morocco’s approach as a viable solution to the regional dispute.
