Ministers gather in Cotonou to advance African Atlantic partnership
The seventh ministerial meeting of the African Atlantic States Process (AASP) kicked off in Cotonou on Monday, co-chaired by Morocco and Benin. Under the leadership of His Majesty King Mohammed VI, the gathering aims to bolster political momentum for this African partnership initiative.
A high-level Moroccan delegation, led by Ambassador Mohamed Methqal—Director General of the Moroccan Agency for International Cooperation (AMCI)—includes key figures such as Tarik Iziraren, Permanent Secretary of the AASP, and Rachid Rguibi, Morocco’s Ambassador to Benin, alongside officials from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, African Cooperation, and Moroccan Residents Abroad.
The AASP reflects King Mohammed VI’s vision to transform the African Atlantic space into a region of shared peace, stability, and prosperity.
Key milestones of the African Atlantic States Process
Since its launch in Rabat in June 2022, the initiative has achieved significant progress:
- Establishment of a permanent secretariat headquartered in Rabat
- Formation of three thematic working groups
- Adoption of a joint action plan covering political dialogue, maritime security, blue economy, maritime connectivity, energy, and marine environmental protection
Previous ministerial meetings, including those held in Rabat, New York alongside UN General Assembly sessions, and Praia in May 2025, have resulted in declarations and action plans to deepen cooperation among Atlantic African coastal states. Core focus areas include maritime security, fisheries conservation, energy transition, and sustainable development.
The Cotonou meeting continues this momentum, seeking to enhance coordination among member states to advance integration and co-development within the African Atlantic space.
