The meeting was led by Ambassador Mohamed Methqal, Director General of the Moroccan Agency for International Cooperation (AMCI), with a delegation from Morocco including Tarik Iziraren, Secretary-General of AAP, Rachid Rguibi, Moroccan Ambassador to Benin, and representatives from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, African Cooperation, and Moroccans Living Abroad.

The African Atlantic Process is part of King Mohammed VI’s vision to make the African Atlantic space a zone of peace, stability, and shared prosperity.

Since its launch in Rabat in June 2022, AAP has made significant progress, including the establishment of a permanent secretariat in Rabat, creation of three thematic groups, and adoption of an action plan around political dialogue, security, blue economy, maritime connectivity, energy, and marine environment protection.

The successive ministerial meetings held in Rabat, New York, and Praia have enabled the adoption of several declarations and action plans aimed at strengthening cooperation between African coastal states in areas such as security, maritime connectivity, fishery preservation, energy transition, and sustainable development.

The Cotonou conference is part of this dynamic and aims to strengthen coordination among member states for integration and co-development of the African Atlantic space.