USAID and Morocco Chart a New Course for Cooperation

Friday 26 July 2024 - 09:20

The United States Agency for International Development (USAID) and Morocco are setting the stage for an enhanced partnership, with a renewed focus on climate action, sustainable development, and regional cooperation across Africa and beyond.

In a pivotal meeting on Tuesday, Moroccan Ambassador to the United States, Youssef Amrani, and USAID Administrator Samantha Power convened to discuss the future trajectory of USAID-Morocco relations. This discussion culminated in the establishment of a comprehensive new roadmap designed to accelerate their long-standing partnership, emphasizing shared goals and priorities.

The dialogue underscored USAID’s significant role in supporting Morocco’s strategic initiatives, positioning the nation as a pivotal hub of prosperity and cooperation within Africa and on the global stage. Both officials lauded the exceptional 67-year relationship between USAID and Morocco. Ambassador Amrani highlighted the critical impact of USAID programs in transferring essential knowledge and expertise, particularly in the realms of education, inclusive development, and women’s empowerment.

Amrani detailed Morocco’s public policies aimed at fostering and deepening progress in various strategic sectors. He attributed these strategies to the vision of King Mohammed VI, who prioritizes human development at the heart of national policy. The ambassador also emphasized Morocco’s regional efforts, citing the King’s Atlantic Initiative as a testament to the country's diplomatic strategy in fostering regional integration and cooperation.

“Morocco promotes coherent regional integrations, effective cooperation models, and sincere solidarity with its partners to create an expanded context of regional peace and security,” Amrani stated.

Administrator Power expressed her optimism about the future of USAID’s cooperation with Morocco, reflecting on her successful visit to the North African country in May. She highlighted the importance of climate issues within USAID’s programs and praised Morocco’s leadership in reducing greenhouse gas emissions.

USAID plans to collaborate closely with Morocco on sustainable strategies in renewable energy, water resource management, and sustainable agriculture. Power described the partnership as “promising,” noting the ongoing efforts to enhance the resilience of production models, especially in agriculture and sustainable development.

Power suggested that this collaboration could serve as a template for other nations facing similar challenges, emphasizing that the USAID-Morocco partnership has the potential to become a model of successful international cooperation.

The future collaboration between USAID and Morocco is expected to concentrate on strengthening human capital, combating climate change, empowering women, and promoting sustainable agriculture. Additionally, Morocco remains a crucial regional partner for USAID, particularly regarding cooperation priorities in Africa and the broader region.

This renewed commitment between USAID and Morocco marks a significant milestone in their partnership, setting a precedent for future cooperative efforts aimed at fostering sustainable development and regional stability.