Agadir – Morocco’s Ministry of Justice signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with the International Organization for Mediation (IOMed) today to strengthen mediation and alternative dispute resolution mechanisms as part of broader justice sector reforms.
The agreement was signed by Justice Minister Abdellatif Ouahbi and Teresa Cheng, Secretary-General of the International Organization for Mediation, at the ministry’s headquarters during Cheng’s visit to Rabat.
The ministry said the visit falls within “the dynamic pursued by Morocco to strengthen its openness to international initiatives aimed at developing mediation and dispute resolution mechanisms and consolidating its position as one of the essential components of the modern justice system.”
According to the ministry, the agreement seeks to strengthen partnership in the field of mediation and dispute resolution through the exchange of expertise, knowledge, and best practices, while supporting training, capacity-building programs, and joint initiatives aligned with international standards.
The ministry emphasized the strategic importance of the partnership amid what it described as a growing international shift toward mediation and alternative dispute resolution methods as effective complements to conventional litigation.
It noted that such mechanisms provide “flexible, rapid, and less costly solutions” that contribute to legal certainty and strengthen confidence in business and investment environments.
The statement also pointed out Morocco’s efforts to modernize its justice system, saying the visit reflects the increasing recognition of the country’s position at both regional and international levels in reforming its judicial sector and developing its legal and institutional frameworks.
Commenting on the occasion, Ouahbi said that “this visit reflects the advanced position Morocco has attained in the modernization of its justice system,” adding that the memorandum of understanding represents “an important step toward strengthening international cooperation and developing mediation mechanisms as a key lever for improving the efficiency of justice and enhancing investment attractiveness.”
For her part, Cheng expressed satisfaction with her visit to Morocco and praised the reform momentum underway in the country’s justice sector.
She said the partnership would contribute to strengthening the exchange of expertise, developing best practices in mediation, and supporting efforts to promote “a culture of amicable dispute settlement at the international level.”
