Global Forum on Fair Transitions Convenes in Morocco, Fostering North-South Dialogue

The esteemed University Mohammed VI Polytechnic (UM6P) in Morocco has made history by hosting the Spring Meeting of the Paris Peace Forum for the first time outside of Paris. Themed "Fair Transitions," this year's gathering addressed pressing global challenges exacerbated by climate change, the COVID-19 pandemic, and geopolitical conflicts, including the Russia-Ukraine war.

José Ángel Gurría, the forum's President, emphasized the significance of holding the event in an African nation, acknowledging the vital support of the OCP Group and the Mo Ibrahim Foundation. "Being here in Morocco, at UM6P, is a great achievement and realization of our commitment to Africa," Gurría declared, underscoring the forum's ongoing efforts since 2020 to promote cooperation and bridge the North-South divide through annual events, support for innovative governance projects, and multi-stakeholder political initiatives.

With a focus on achieving a green energy transition that meets the needs of developing countries while addressing poverty reduction, the meeting also aimed to find solutions to enhance the resilience of agriculture and agri-food systems amid climate change and global demographic shifts. The forum emphasized the lessons learned from the unequal distribution of COVID vaccines, advocating for fair benefit-sharing in future pandemic treaties.

Hicham El Habti, President of UM6P, expressed his enthusiasm for the collaboration, stating, "This event holds special significance for our institution as it embodies our commitment to promoting sustainable development through concrete initiatives and global partnerships." He stressed the importance of sustainable and inclusive growth, noting that transitions should be peaceful and equitable for all humanity.

El Habti announced the launch of the Agricultural Transition Plan for African Solutions, known as Atlas, symbolizing UM6P's commitment to addressing food security challenges in Africa. His words offered a reminder of the interconnectedness of global challenges, emphasizing the need for systemic commitment from humanity.

The French Ambassador to Morocco, Christophe Lecourtier, also spoke at the event, emphasizing the urgency of strengthening France-Morocco relations and European-African ties. He announced France's intent to expand the coalition dedicated to African agricultural development, underscoring its significance for food security and climate resilience.

The program featured diverse panels and discussions, including sessions on climate overshoot risks led by youth, cooperative solutions for sustainable agriculture, business consultations for Nutrition for Growth (N4G), and strategies for enhanced North-South cooperation to solve the joint climate transition and development conundrum.

The Paris Peace Forum, an international event dedicated to global governance and multilateralism, has fostered the submission of over 400 projects since its inception in 2018, providing personalized support to ten projects annually through its mentoring program. With its Spring Meeting in Morocco, the forum reinforced its commitment to fostering international dialogue and action towards a more equitable and sustainable future.