Morocco’s Action-Oriented Diplomacy Under King Mohammed VI Highlighted at MD Sahara Forum

Rabat, The Gulf Observer: Morocco’s foreign policy under the leadership of King Mohammed VI is defined by practical action, tangible results, and a commitment to shared progress rather than empty rhetoric, the country’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations, Ambassador Omar Hilale, said on Saturday.

Speaking at the 5th annual MD Sahara Forum in Dakhla, Hilale outlined the guiding principles of Morocco’s diplomatic vision as diplomats, experts, and officials gathered to discuss the Kingdom’s role in promoting peace, stability, and cooperation across Africa.

“Royal diplomacy demonstrates an unshakeable conviction: nations achieve greatness through their ability to build the future together, and solidarity forms the foundation of a more just and equitable world order,” Hilale stated.

A Diplomacy That Builds Trust

Hilale described Morocco’s approach as one that “bets on trust rather than mistrust, on cooperation rather than isolation, on sustainability rather than opportunism, and on human dignity rather than domination.” This philosophy, he said, stems from Morocco’s historical role as a crossroads between the Atlantic and Sahara, linking the Maghreb, sub-Saharan Africa, and Europe.

The 50th anniversary of the Green March offers an opportunity to reflect on this diplomatic trajectory. According to Hilale, the Green March embodies a foreign policy rooted in historical legitimacy, national unity, and positive engagement without antagonism.

Aligned with the UN’s Three Foundational Pillars

Hilale framed Morocco’s diplomacy around the three pillars enshrined in the UN Charter: development, human rights, and peace and security.

On development, he emphasised that inclusive and sustainable growth remains central to Morocco’s stability and a driver of its international partnerships. “Development cannot be transmitted — it must be created together,” he said. He cited the Kingdom’s investments in renewable energy, infrastructure, human development, and economic openness as key components of its forward-looking agenda, with diplomacy serving as a strategic instrument to build concrete partnerships, especially across Africa.

On human rights, he highlighted Morocco’s multidimensional approach rooted in the 2011 Constitution. This includes humanitarian action, institutional cooperation, knowledge sharing, spiritual dialogue, and security partnerships. This “ethic of coherence,” he said, allows Morocco to translate its national achievements into broader regional standards, particularly through educational, religious, social, and security initiatives benefiting African countries.

On peace and security, Hilale stressed Morocco’s comprehensive understanding of global threats. Terrorism, trafficking, conflicts, humanitarian crises, and environmental challenges are interconnected symptoms of deep-rooted fragility, he noted. Addressing them requires broadening security concepts to include food, energy, climate, and human security.

Morocco Seeks Greater Role in UN Peacebuilding

Hilale announced Morocco’s candidacy for the presidency of the UN Peacebuilding Commission starting January, saying the Kingdom aims to bring “an authentic African perspective” to UN deliberations and better reflect the continent’s priorities.

He added that Morocco’s positions at the UN Security Council demonstrate its commitment to voicing African concerns “with the strength of lived experience and the credibility of those who do not merely deplore crises but act to prevent them.”

The diplomat pointed to the recent adoption of Security Council Resolution 2797, coinciding with the 50th anniversary of the Green March, as evidence of Morocco’s ability to anticipate challenges and build consensus.

The 5th MD Sahara Forum opened Friday in Dakhla under the theme “50 Years of the Green March: National Unity and Continental Ambition.”