Jakarta,November 27 (AseanAll)  — ASEAN and Morocco reaffirmed their commitment to advancing their sectoral dialogue partnership at the 2nd ASEAN-Morocco Joint Sectoral Cooperation Committee (JSCC) Meeting held at the ASEAN Headquarters/ASEAN Secretariat on November 27, 2024. 

The officials from both sides exchanged views on developments in ASEAN and Morocco, and reviewed their cooperation. The meeting noted the progress in the implementation of the ASEAN-Morocco Sectoral Dialogue Partnership: Practical Cooperation Areas (PCA) 2024-2028, and shared the view that the effective implementation of the PCA will contribute to the further enhancement of cooperation between ASEAN and Morocco. The meeting commended Morocco’s participation in ASEAN events and consultations under the three ASEAN Community pillars, and its initiative in organising training in diplomacy for ASEAN diplomats in 2017, 2019 and 2023.

ASEAN and Morocco shared the view that there remain tremendous opportunities for closer collaboration and recognised the need to work closely to tap the full potentials of the partnership for mutual benefit. ASEAN encouraged Morocco to support the implementation of the Master Plan on ASEAN Connectivity 2025 (MPAC) and the Initiative for ASEAN Integration (IAI) Work Plan IV, and encouraged collaboration with ASEAN centres of excellence.

Both sides also deliberated on ways to deepen the ASEAN-Morocco cooperation in areas such as peace and reconciliation, climate change and environment, health, sustainable finance, trade and investment, digital economy and transformation, sustainable agriculture and infrastructure, fertilisers production, fisheries, aquaculture, supply-chain security, renewable energy and energy transition, transport, halal food industry and certification, food and water security, education, science, technology and innovation, cybersecurity, disaster management, people-to-people exchanges, youth, sports, culture, and tourism, including sustainable tourism and scientific tourism.

The meeting took note of key highlights and achievements of Lao PDR’s ASEAN Chairmanship 2024; progress on the ASEAN Smart Cities Network initiative; and ASEAN’s effort to promote sustainable development. The meeting also noted key developments in Morocco, including the Royal Atlantic Initiative, which places the Atlantic at the heart of King Mohammed VI’s vision for the African continent on the basis of principles of solidarity, cooperation and co-development. Morocco also highlighted that it will co-host the FIFA World Cup 2030 along with Portugal and Spain.

The meeting was co-chaired by the Deputy Secretary-General of ASEAN for Community and Corporate Affairs, Nararya Soeprapto, and Ambassador of Morocco to ASEAN, Ouadia Benabdellah. Members of the Committee of Permanent Representatives to ASEAN or their representatives and their respective delegations were also in attendance. Representative of Timor-Leste to ASEAN attended as Observer.