Morocco and Benin cochair 7th Atlantic African States Process meeting in Cotonou

The 7th ministerial meeting of the Atlantic African States Process (AASP) opened this Monday in Cotonou, Benin, under the joint chairmanship of the Kingdom of Morocco and the Republic of Benin. This high-level gathering aims to deepen cooperation among African countries bordering the Atlantic Ocean and strengthen regional integration, in line with His Majesty King Mohammed VI’s vision for an African Atlantic space marked by peace, stability, and shared prosperity.

Key delegations and participants

The Moroccan delegation, led by Mohamed Methqal, Ambassador and Director-General of the Moroccan Agency for International Cooperation (AMCI), included Tarik Iziraren, Permanent Secretary of the AASP, Rachid Rguibi, Morocco’s Ambassador to Benin, and senior officials from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, African Cooperation, and Moroccans Residing Abroad.

Progress and milestones since 2022

Since its inception in Rabat in June 2022, the Atlantic African States Process has achieved significant advancements, including the establishment of a permanent secretariat in Rabat, the creation of thematic working groups, and the adoption of an action plan centered on political dialogue, maritime security, blue economy, connectivity, energy transition, and marine environmental protection.

A step forward for regional coordination

Following previous meetings in Rabat, New York, and Praia, the Cotonou gathering represents a pivotal moment for enhancing coordination among member states. The discussions aim to promote sustainable development, improved governance of maritime spaces, and mutually beneficial co-development across Africa’s Atlantic coastline.