Morocco strengthens UN partnerships on artificial intelligence and South-South cooperation

Saturday 27 June 2026 - 11:11

By: Azzat Manal

Morocco strengthens UN partnerships on artificial intelligence and South-South cooperation

Morocco has reinforced its international engagement in digital transformation by expanding its strategic partnerships with the United Nations during the UN Open Source Week held at the organization's headquarters in New York. The discussions highlighted the Kingdom’s growing role in artificial intelligence, digital governance, sovereign digital infrastructure, and international cooperation for sustainable development.

Leading the Moroccan delegation, Minister of Digital Transition and Administration Reform Aml El Fellah Seghrouchni held a series of high-level meetings with senior UN officials to present Morocco’s long-term vision for digital innovation and responsible AI development.

During talks with the United Nations Secretary-General’s Envoy on Technology, Amandeep Singh Gill, the minister outlined Morocco’s Artificial Intelligence Strategy 2030. The roadmap, known as "AI Made in Morocco," aims to strengthen technological sovereignty while encouraging innovation, international collaboration, and the ethical development of AI technologies.

The discussions also highlighted several strategic initiatives involving Morocco, including partnerships with leading AI companies, participation in international AI infrastructure projects, and the development of the Digital Morocco for Sustainable Development Hub (D4SD) and the Al Jazari ecosystem, both designed to support innovation, research, and digital capacity building.

In a separate meeting with Ahunna Eziakonwa, Assistant Secretary-General of the United Nations and Regional Director for Africa at the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), both sides explored opportunities to deepen cooperation through the Timbuktoo initiative. The program seeks to accelerate Africa’s innovation ecosystem by supporting entrepreneurship, technology, and digital investment across the continent.

Morocco also presented its ambition to establish a regional center dedicated to smart cities and smart mobility, leveraging the country's expanding digital infrastructure and innovation platforms.

Additional discussions with Bernardo Mariano Jr., the United Nations Chief Information Technology Officer, focused on digital sovereignty, secure data infrastructure, sovereign data centers, open-source software, and the responsible governance of artificial intelligence. Both parties emphasized the importance of strengthening African cooperation in digital infrastructure and promoting trusted AI systems.

The meetings also explored opportunities for Moroccan startups and technology companies to showcase their digital solutions through the Digital Public Goods Registry, helping local innovations reach international markets while aligning with emerging global digital standards.

Another key meeting brought together Moroccan officials and Dima Al-Khatib, Director of the United Nations Office for South-South Cooperation. The discussions centered on integrating Morocco’s Digital Morocco for Sustainable Development Hub into the Global South-South and Triangular Cooperation Coalition, a platform designed to foster collaboration among governments, international organizations, financial institutions, research centers, and the private sector.

Officials also discussed connecting Morocco’s future AI Marketplace with the coalition to facilitate the exchange of artificial intelligence models, datasets, digital solutions, and technical expertise across developing countries.

Through these high-level engagements, Morocco continues to position itself as a regional leader in digital transformation and artificial intelligence. The Kingdom is expanding its role as a bridge between Africa, the Arab world, and international partners while promoting responsible digital governance, technological innovation, and sustainable development through multilateral cooperation.