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Rabat – At the opening of the “Africa for the Ocean” summit in Nice, French President Emmanuel Macron expressed admiration for what he described as King Mohammed VI’s strong and forward-looking commitment to building a blue economy for Africa.
Speaking alongside Princess Lalla Hasnaa, who represented the Moroccan monarch at the event, Macron described the King’s message as “clear” and “decisive” in guiding the continent toward sustainable ocean development.
King Mohammed VI addressed the summit with a message urging African nations to take greater ownership of their seas, which he described as central to the continent’s future.
Delivered by Princess Lalla Hasnaa, the message welcomed the presence of African leaders at what the monarch called an “unprecedented summit” focused on Africa’s 30,000 kilometers of shared coastline.
In his message, the King commended President Emmanuel Macron for his commitment to ocean protection and emphasized the pressing need for Africa to move beyond acknowledging the value of its marine resources to actively safeguarding and developing them. He warned that while the continent’s seas hold immense promise, they remain largely untapped and insufficiently protected.
At the core of the King’s message was a conviction that Africa’s oceans, if managed responsibly, could serve as a foundation for long-term prosperity across the continent.
The summit, organized ahead of the 2025 UN Ocean Conference, brought together African leaders, policymakers, and international partners to reflect on the continent’s ocean potential and the responsibilities that come with it. For Macron, Morocco’s place at the helm felt natural.
“Morocco stands out on the continent,” he said, noting the country’s efforts in ocean governance, its stance against plastic pollution, and its push for regional cooperation. “These are not just policies, but signs of a clear vision,” he added.
Macron reserved special words for the Atlantic Initiative, a project launched by King Mohammed VI to give landlocked African countries access to the Atlantic. “This idea reflects a continental vision, one that doesn’t leave any nation behind,” he said.
He also linked this vision to past milestones, including the launch of Tanger Med two decades ago. “What began as a bold idea is now the most important port in the Mediterranean,” he said.
Looking ahead, Macron pointed to the upcoming opening of the Dakhla port as the next chapter in Morocco’s ocean strategy. “It marks more than infrastructure,” he said. “It marks a determination to connect all of Africa to global maritime routes.”
The French leader also reflected on the symbolism of the summit itself. “It is not by accident that Morocco and France are co-hosting this event,” he said. “We share a shoreline, a long-standing relationship, and a shared desire to face essential questions together.”
Delegates explored ways to unlock investment for ocean-related infrastructure, ensure sustainable management of fish stocks, and build better ties between landlocked and coastal countries.
