UN and Morocco mark five years of regional counter-terrorism partnership

Tuesday 07 October 2025 - 08:20

By: Dakir Madiha

UN and Morocco mark five years of regional counter-terrorism partnership

The United Nations Office of Counter-Terrorism (UNOCT) has commended its enduring collaboration with Morocco in advancing regional security and counter-terrorism training across Africa, marking the fifth anniversary of its Programme Office for Counter-Terrorism and Training in Africa, headquartered in Rabat.

Established on October 6, 2020, the Rabat-based office has evolved into a vital regional hub, providing specialized counter-terrorism training to more than 1,000 officials from 34 African member states. The UNOCT described the milestone as evidence of the “continued partnership” with Morocco in reinforcing regional capabilities to combat terrorism and violent extremism.

A center for regional training and collaboration

Since its inception, the office has been instrumental in strengthening national expertise, fostering knowledge exchange, and promoting best practices in counter-terrorism policy and operations. It also facilitated the Marrakech Platform, a high-level forum for African heads of counter-terrorism agencies, convened four times since 2020 to bolster regional coordination and dialogue.

The Rabat office has played a central role in implementing the UN Global Counter-Terrorism Strategy through collaboration with various UN entities and international partners, ensuring that African states receive the institutional and operational support necessary for sustainable progress.

Morocco’s strategic leadership in African security

Morocco’s partnership with the UN underscores its growing reputation as a continental leader in security cooperation. The establishment of the UNOCT Programme Office followed a 2020 headquarters agreement between the Kingdom and the UN, marking the first such facility on the African continent.

The initiative highlights Morocco’s proactive role in promoting multilateral cooperation and capacity building in the fight against terrorism, aligning with its long-standing commitment to regional stability and international peace.

As the office enters its sixth year, the partnership between UNOCT and Morocco continues to strengthen Africa’s collective resilience against evolving security threats, setting a model for cooperative counter-terrorism efforts worldwide.