The seventh ministerial meeting of the African Atlantic States Process (PEAA) opened in Cotonou, Benin, this Monday, with the joint chairmanship of the Kingdom of Morocco and the Republic of Benin.

This high-level gathering aims to deepen collaboration among African nations bordering the Atlantic Ocean, reinforcing regional integration in line with His Majesty King Mohammed VI’s vision for a shared Atlantic African space marked by peace, stability, and collective prosperity.

Moroccan delegation and key objectives

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

Milestones and thematic focus

Since its inception in Rabat in June 2022, the PEAA has achieved significant progress, 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.

The Cotonou meeting represents another step forward in strengthening coordination among member states to advance sustainable development, improved maritime governance, and mutually beneficial co-development across Africa’s Atlantic coast.