- Bourita says Morocco’s 2028–2029 candidacy is rooted in diplomatic experience and King Mohammed VI’s vision for global challenges
NEW YORK: Morocco’s candidacy for a non-permanent seat on the United Nations Security Council for the 2028–2029 term reflects the Kingdom’s growing engagement in regional and international affairs, Foreign Minister Nasser Bourita said Friday in New York.
Speaking to reporters on the sidelines of the 81st session of the UN General Assembly, Bourita said Morocco’s bid draws on the country’s diplomatic experience and its approach to addressing major international and regional challenges.
He said the candidacy is based on a diplomatic tradition shaped by Morocco’s history and guided by King Mohammed VI’s vision on major global issues.
Elections for the Security Council’s non-permanent members for the 2028–2029 term are scheduled to be held in June 2027.
Bourita said Morocco intends to contribute to international efforts on issues including climate change, sustainable development, counterterrorism and major regional challenges, emphasizing what he described as a clear and consistent diplomatic approach.
Morocco Strengthens African Initiatives
The foreign minister also highlighted Morocco’s expanding role in African and multilateral initiatives, citing several projects advanced at the regional and international levels.
Among them was the opening of the signing process for the African Convention on the Disarmament, Demobilization and Reintegration of Child Soldiers, an initiative spearheaded by Morocco. Bourita said several African countries had signed the legal instrument during the week.
He also highlighted the Atlantic African States Process (AASP), noting that its eighth ministerial meeting, held in New York, demonstrated growing support and institutional maturity among participating countries.
The initiative seeks to strengthen cooperation among African Atlantic states, particularly in areas linked to maritime security, fisheries, trade and sustainable development.
Gabon is set to host an AASP meeting focused on fisheries in the African Atlantic region, while Cabo Verde will host a workshop bringing together maritime-security experts and other stakeholders.
Morocco will host the ninth ministerial meeting of the AASP, Bourita said.
He described the initiative as contributing to efforts to transform Atlantic maritime routes into a structured platform for cooperation amid continuing geopolitical tensions and challenges affecting maritime trade and navigation.
Focus on Development, Dialogue and Tolerance
Morocco also presented initiatives at the UN General Assembly focused on development financing and international dialogue.
One such initiative, co-hosted by Morocco and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), focused on public-private partnerships under the theme “Financing the Future: Public-Private Partnerships to Invest in Development.”
Bourita also highlighted Morocco’s role in the Global Conference on Combating Hate Speech through the Promotion of Interreligious and Intercultural Dialogue and Tolerance, which Morocco co-chaired alongside the UN Secretary-General and the President of the UN General Assembly.
The conference was organized with the participation of the UN Office on Genocide Prevention and the Responsibility to Protect and the United Nations Alliance of Civilizations, with discussions centered on dialogue, tolerance and social cohesion.
Bourita said Morocco’s initiatives at the 81st UN General Assembly reflected its effort to promote practical approaches to international challenges while creating platforms for dialogue and cooperation among UN member states.
He said Morocco seeks to contribute constructive responses and solutions to issues on the international agenda while strengthening multilateral dialogue and cooperation.
BY: The Times Union
