فاس نيوز ميديا جريدة الكترونية جهوية تعنى بشؤون و أخبار جهة فاس مكناس – متجددة على مدار الساعة
His Majesty King Mohammed VI, may God assist him, sent a message to the participants of the “Africa for the Ocean” summit, co-chaired today in Nice by Her Royal Highness Princess Lalla Hasnaa, representing His Majesty the King, and His Excellency Emmanuel Macron, President of the French Republic.
Below is the full text of the royal message read by Her Royal Highness Princess Lalla Hasnaa:
“In the name of God, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful, and prayers and peace be upon our Master, the Messenger of God, his family, and companions.
His Excellency the President of the French Republic,
Your Excellencies, Presidents of States and Governments,
Mr. Chairperson of the African Union Commission,
Honorable Ministers,
Distinguished Ladies and Gentlemen,
At the outset, I would like to commend the personal commitment of His Excellency Emmanuel Macron, President of the French Republic, towards ocean-related issues. This commitment perfectly aligns with the current moment in which the strong African continent, with its voices, potentials, and vision, seeks to decisively assert its stance on its maritime destiny.
On this occasion, I also wish to express my gratitude to my African brothers and the distinguished personalities of the continent for their participation in this unprecedented summit dedicated to our shared coastline, which extends over more than 30,000 kilometers.
Honorable Ladies and Gentlemen,
The African seas and oceans, despite their wealth, still suffer from fragility and vulnerability. Despite their strategic importance, they remain underutilized. And despite their promising potential, they receive only limited protection. This paradox compels us to move from a logic of potential to a logic of ownership.
The environment remains a fundamental pillar in ocean governance, which should not be viewed from this perspective alone. The ocean represents our food sovereignty, the backbone of our resilience against climate change, the foundation of our energy security, and the cohesion and harmony of our region. It also reflects our identity, patterns of consumption and resource use, and what we will leave as a legacy for future generations.
In this regard, Morocco calls for a strategic review of Africa’s maritime role around three main axes:
First: Blue Growth
Blue economy is no longer an environmental luxury but a strategic necessity. Sustainable aquaculture, marine renewable energies, port industries, marine biotechnology, and responsible coastal tourism are all sectors promising a better future, provided they are structured, interconnected as a value chain, and supported by the necessary investments and appropriate standards.
This is the essence of the national strategy that Morocco has initiated and is implementing as a driver for growth, social inclusion, and human development.
From this perspective, the Kingdom of Morocco has launched several structuring projects, notably reshaping the national port landscape, such as the large container port at Tanger Med, and the future ports of Nador West Med and Dakhla Atlantic, which will rely on a massive logistical and industrial system.
Second: Enhanced South-South Cooperation and Regional Integration around Maritime Spaces
Efforts must be pooled because the challenge extends beyond national borders to the continental level. Shared ownership of the Atlantic Ocean alone is insufficient; this ocean must be approached collectively, managed, and protected jointly. There is no alternative to a coordinated African approach to improve maritime value chains, secure trade routes, and secure a fairer share of global ocean wealth.
Therefore, Africa must be an active player in protecting marine biodiversity, genetic resources, and marine protected areas. It must also have maritime security mechanisms suited to its needs and unify its voice on international issues related to ocean affairs.
Third: Maritime Efficiency through Policy Integration Related to the Atlantic Ocean
The geopolitical dynamics in Africa should not be constrained by geographical rigidity or historical divisions. The Atlantic façade of Africa has not received sufficient attention despite its boundless potential to break isolation, facilitate transit, and meet future expectations.
This is the vision behind the initiative we launched for Atlantic African countries, aiming to make the Atlantic Ocean façade a space for strategic dialogue, collective security, mobility, and economic integration based on unprecedented governance that is collective, mobilizing, and practical.
Our vision for Atlantic Africa, which we want to contribute to the valorization of the Atlantic Ocean, is not limited to the coastal countries alone but extends to the sister Sahel countries that must have a structured and reliable maritime outlet.
In the same spirit of solidarity and shared prosperity, we also launched the African Atlantic Gas Pipeline project as an energy connectivity corridor and a lever for creating new geo-economic opportunities in West Africa.
Honorable Ladies and Gentlemen,
The sea has been and will remain a link and a shared horizon that we all must protect and manage well to make it a space of peace, stability, and development. Africa, whose strength lies in the unity of its voice, is at the heart of this ambitious project. Morocco is firmly committed to playing its part in this collective endeavor, supported by its 3,500 kilometers of coastline and approximately 1.2 million square kilometers of maritime spaces.
Peace, mercy, and blessings of God be upon you.”
