Agadir – Morocco and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) have reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening their partnership, with both sides expressing a desire to move toward more concrete, results-oriented cooperation across several strategic sectors.
The commitment was expressed today in Jakarta during a meeting between the organization’s Secretary-General Kao Kim Hourn and Morocco’s newly appointed Ambassador to the organization, Redouane Houssaini, who presented his Letter of Credence at the ASEAN Headquarters.
Kao congratulated Houssaini on his appointment and reaffirmed the ASEAN Secretariat’s commitment to further strengthening both sides Sectoral Dialogue Partnership, established in 2023.
The ASEAN Secretary-General also expressed appreciation for country’s support for ASEAN Community-building efforts and welcomed the positive momentum in relations between the two sides.
Kao called for stronger Moroccan engagement with the organization’s various sectoral bodies to translate the institutional framework between the two sides into concrete and mutually beneficial initiatives.
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For his part, Houssaini pointed to country’s potential role as a bridge between Southeast Asia and Africa, drawing on the country’s strategic geographical position, infrastructure, and longstanding ties with the African continent.
In this regard, he highlighted opportunities for triangular cooperation involving ASEAN, Morocco, and Africa, particularly in trade, investment, and development.
The discussions also reflected a convergence between Morocco and ASEAN around principles including dialogue, moderation, respect for state sovereignty, and the peaceful settlement of disputes.
The meeting marks a new step in the institutional development of Morocco’s relationship with ASEAN. Morocco acceded to the Treaty of Amity and Cooperation in Southeast Asia in 2016 and became an ASEAN Sectoral Dialogue Partner in September 2023, becoming the first North African country to obtain the status.
The appointment of Houssaini also strengthens Morocco’s diplomatic engagement with ASEAN. According to the ASEAN Secretariat, Morocco has accredited its first ambassador to the regional organization since 2010. Houssaini succeeds Ambassador Ouadia Benabdellah, whose tenure ended in April 2025.
