Omar Hilale: HM the King’s Vision Will Guide Morocco’s Presidency of the UN Committee on South-South Cooperation

 

 

 

 

“The Royal Vision of South-South Cooperation will guide Morocco’s presidency of the Committee’s work to strengthen the values of solidarity, mutual respect, and co-development among countries of the Global South,” stated Mr. Hilale during the opening of the 22nd session of this high-level Committee.

In this context, the ambassador highlighted the Moroccan model, led by the enlightened guidance of HM King Mohammed VI, “which places South-South Cooperation at the heart of its foreign policy, grounded in solidarity—especially with our African brothers and sisters, and increasingly with countries in Latin America, the Caribbean, and the Pacific.”

For his part, Achim Steiner, Administrator of the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), speaking at the end of his 8-year term as head of the UN agency, paid tribute to HM the King and praised Morocco’s commitment—under the Monarch’s leadership—to establishing dynamic South-South Cooperation platforms.

He noted that the UNDP is strengthening its collaboration with Morocco to support and enhance these initiatives, in alignment with the vision and action Morocco has promoted for several years on the international stage.

The UN official also underscored the growing importance of South-South Cooperation as a driver of concrete and context-specific development solutions, highlighting the collective efforts made by numerous countries and regions to leverage shared experiences as a source of innovation and effectiveness.

Ambassador Hilale noted that in today’s international context—marked by increasing uncertainty, geopolitical tensions, and more frequent climate shocks—Morocco’s presidency comes at a pivotal moment for multilateral cooperation.

He addressed the current state of international development financing, which has reached historically low levels, with stagnating official development assistance and the exclusion of many developing countries, including middle-income nations, from concessional financing and support mechanisms.

While recalling that South-South Cooperation is not a substitute for North-South Cooperation but rather an essential complement, Mr. Hilale stressed its crucial role in preserving international solidarity, which is currently under strain.

He also emphasized the growing importance of triangular cooperation, which strengthens South-South Cooperation by enabling developing countries to expand access to diverse resources, expertise, and technical capabilities.

The diplomat further welcomed Morocco’s fruitful collaboration with the UN Office for South-South Cooperation, led by Dima Alkhatib.

The work of this high-level Committee, continuing through Friday, will culminate in the adoption of a decision on South-South Cooperation to be submitted to the General Assembly.