ZAMBIA AND MOROCCO DEEPEN TIES AT INAUGURAL JOINT PERMANENT COMMISSION OF COOPERATION

ZAMBIA AND MOROCCO DEEPEN TIES AT INAUGURAL JOINT PERMANENT COMMISSION OF COOPERATION

Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Mulambo Haimbe, led a Zambian delegation to the inaugural session of the Zambia-Morocco Joint Permanent Commission of Cooperation (JPCC) held in Laayoune, Morocco.

The meeting, co-chaired on Friday, December 13, 2024, by Minister Haimbe and Morocco’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, African Cooperation, and Moroccan Expatriates, Nasser Bourita, marked a significant milestone in strengthening bilateral relations.

During the session, the two nations signed several Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) covering key sectors such as education, justice, mines, geology and hydrocarbons, trade and investments, and tourism. A Joint Communiqué issued at the end of the session reaffirmed the strong bilateral ties and strategic partnership between Zambia and Morocco.

The meeting emphasized His Majesty Mohammed VI, King of Morocco’s, commitment to leveraging Zambia as a gateway for enhanced cooperation and trade with Southern African nations, aligning with the broader continental framework of economic integration.

In his address, Minister Haimbe highlighted the shared cultural values and interests that underpin the longstanding relationship between Zambia and Morocco. He also acknowledged the countries’ mutual membership in regional, continental, and international organizations, which provides a solid foundation for their collaboration.

“The JPCC serves as a vital platform for evaluating existing cooperation, including the Morocco-Zambia Roadmap of Cooperation for 2023-2025, and identifying new areas for collaboration in response to emerging global challenges,” Mr. Haimbe stated.

The Ministers agreed to convene the second session of the JPCC in Lusaka, Zambia, with the date to be determined through diplomatic channels. This decision reflects both nations’ commitment to maintaining momentum in their partnership and expanding opportunities for cooperation.

The session highlighted Zambia and Morocco’s shared vision for fostering economic growth, trade, and investment within the Southern African region and beyond. As the two countries embark on this strengthened partnership, the agreements reached during the inaugural JPCC are expected to pave the way for tangible development and closer ties.

The Zambia-Morocco collaboration reinforces Zambia’s growing role as a key player in regional and continental integration, showcasing its commitment to building strategic alliances that benefit both nations and the African continent at large.