Awaza (Turkmenistan) – Morocco continues to strengthen its position as a key player in South-South cooperation, placing landlocked developing countries, particularly in Africa, at the heart of its strategic priorities. At the Third United Nations Conference on Landlocked Developing Countries, held from August 5 to 8 in Awaza (Turkmenistan), the Moroccan Minister of Transport and Logistics, Mr. Abdessamad Kayouh, underlined the Kingdom's strong commitment to solidarity-based and sustainable development.
Speaking at the plenary session, Mr. Kayouh highlighted Morocco's efforts, under the impetus of His Majesty King Mohammed VI, to support landlocked countries, particularly in Africa, through concrete and structuring projects. He notably mentioned the Royal Initiative aimed at offering Sahel countries access to the Atlantic Ocean, a real lever for economic transformation and integration into global value chains.
This initiative, which is based on sharing Moroccan expertise and access to the Kingdom's transport infrastructure (roads, railways, ports), is part of a pan-African vision focused on stability, prosperity and strengthened cooperation.
The minister also recalled several programs supported by Morocco within the framework of this solidarity dynamic: the African Climate Commissions, the Initiative for Adapting African Agriculture (AAA), the Climate Change Competence Center, the "SSS" initiative for sustainability and security in Africa, and the "African Youth Climate Hub" platform.
The Kingdom welcomed the adoption of the Awaza Plan of Action for the 2024-2034 decade, stressing that it is a strong signal in favor of strengthened international cooperation to meet the major challenges facing landlocked countries, particularly in terms of connectivity, energy transition and economic resilience.
Mr. Kayouh called for increased international mobilization to support these countries in overcoming their vulnerability to global shocks, advocating for innovative partnerships and targeted investments in infrastructure and high value-added sectors.
The Moroccan delegation participating in this conference also includes Mr. Omar Hilale, Ambassador, Permanent Representative of Morocco to the United Nations, Mr. Mohamed Rachid Maaninou, Ambassador of the Kingdom to several Central Asian countries, as well as diplomats and officials from the Ministry of Transport.