Jakarta, June 27 (AseanAll) — At the invitation of the Government of the Kingdom of Morocco, Dr. Kao Kim Hourn, Secretary-General of ASEAN, undertook an official visit to Morocco, from 24 to 26 June 2025.
The visit underscored the growing cooperation between ASEAN and Morocco since the formalisation of the Sectoral Dialogue Partnership in 2023. It also reflected both sides’ shared commitment to further strengthening cooperation on promoting trade and investment, digital transformation, sustainable development, and people-to-people exchanges, among others.
While in Rabat, the Secretary-General held meetings with Nasser Bourita, Minister of Foreign Affairs, African Cooperation and Moroccan Expatriates, Ryad Mezzour, Minister of Industry and Trade, Mohamed Saad Berrada, Minister of National Education, Pre-school Learning and Sports, Mohammed Mehdi Bensaid, Minister of Youth, Culture, and Communication, Abdeltif Loudyi, Minister Delegate to the Head of Government in Charge of the Administration of National Defense, and Mr. Redouane Arrach, Secretary-General of the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries, Rural Development, Water and Forests.
The discussions touched on the deepening of ASEAN-Morocco relations, trade and investment, regional and global developments, and the importance of ASEAN as a regional consensus builder and its stabilising role in the Indo-Pacific region.
The Meetings also emphasised the importance of upholding and strengthening the ASEAN Centrality, rules-based international order and the importance of practical cooperation pursued through the ASEAN Outlook on the Indo-Pacific (AOIP).
The Secretary-General also delivered a lecture at the Moroccan Institute of Training, Research and Diplomatic Studies in Rabat where he exchanged views with a range of stakeholders on peace, diplomacy, and regional security issues. In Casablanca, the Secretary-General met with Mr. Said Ibrahimi, CEO of Casablanca Finance City (CFC), and engaged with representatives of the Moroccan General Confederation of Enterprises (CGEM), led by General Vice-President of CGEM, Mr. Mehdi Tazi.
The visit of the Secretary-General of ASEAN to Morocco and his delegation demonstrated the scope and depth of ASEAN-Morocco relations and cooperation over the past years and reaffirmed both sides’ mutual commitment to further strengthening the partnership. ASEAN and Morocco look forward to advancing the implementation of the ASEAN-Morocco Practical Cooperation Areas (2024-2028) which will serve as a framework for tangible cooperation in the years ahead.
