Mariama Hamani
Ministers gather in Cotonou to advance African Atlantic cooperation
The 7th Ministerial Meeting of the African Atlantic States Process (AASP) opened in Cotonou this week, co-chaired by Morocco and Benin, as part of efforts to deepen political momentum for regional integration under the leadership of His Majesty King Mohammed VI.
The Moroccan delegation, led by Ambassador Mohamed Methqal, Director General of the Moroccan Agency for International Cooperation (AMCI), included key officials such as Tarik Iziraren, Permanent Secretary of the AASP, Rachid Rguibi, Morocco’s Ambassador to Benin, and representatives from the Ministries of Foreign Affairs, African Cooperation, and Moroccans Abroad.
Building on a shared vision for Atlantic Africa
Since its launch in Rabat in June 2022, the AASP has made significant strides toward realizing a vision of peace, stability, and shared prosperity in the Atlantic African region. Key achievements include the establishment of a permanent secretariat in Rabat, the formation of three thematic working groups, and the adoption of a joint action program focusing on political dialogue, maritime security, blue economy, connectivity, energy, and marine environmental protection.
The series of ministerial meetings—held in Rabat, New York alongside UN General Assembly sessions, and Praia in May 2025—has led to the adoption of declarations and action plans aimed at strengthening cooperation among African Atlantic states in maritime security, fisheries preservation, energy transition, and sustainable development.
Cotonou meeting to accelerate regional integration
The Cotonou gathering is the latest in a sequence of high-level discussions designed to strengthen coordination among member states, fostering greater integration and co-development across the Atlantic African space. The outcomes of this meeting are expected to further align national policies with the shared goals of the AASP, reinforcing collective action toward a more integrated and resilient regional bloc.
Boureima Amadou
