Speaking at the meeting, jointly organized by the Embassy of Morocco in London and the Middle East Association to mark the 50th anniversary of the Glorious Green March, Morocco’s Ambassador to the United Kingdom, Hakim Hajoui, emphasized the importance of this commemoration, which he described as “a living expression of the unity, identity, and soul of our Nation.”
“Fifty years after the Green March, Morocco, under the enlightened leadership of His Majesty King Mohammed VI, has invested massively in its Southern Provinces, transforming the Sahara desert into a land of opportunity, a hub for trade, energy, and green industries, and a source of a better future for its people,” said Mr. Hajoui.
The Ambassador highlighted the significance of Resolution 2797, noting that it acknowledges Moroccan sovereignty-based autonomy as “the most realistic and credible path toward lasting peace and a final settlement of the Sahara issue.”
“For the first time in fifty years, we can now see a concrete and tangible perspective for a definitive solution,” he affirmed, recalling His Majesty the King’s historic Address to the Nation following the adoption of the resolution, in which the Sovereign declared: “From now on, there will be a before and after 31 October 2025.”
Mr. Hajoui also recalled the Royal proclamation of 31 October as the National Day of Unity, describing it as not only a landmark in Morocco’s modern history but also a pivotal moment in the long-standing bilateral relations between Morocco and the United Kingdom.
He noted that June 1 marked a turning point in these relations, when Rabat and London entered a new chapter of strategic partnership, opening the way for deeper diplomatic and economic cooperation by leveraging Morocco’s unique position as a bridge between the Middle East, Africa, and the Atlantic space.
This new phase, he added, holds enormous potential across various sectors, including security and defense, given Morocco’s key role in combating terrorism, extremism, and illegal migration. In terms of trade and investment, he underlined that the UK can both support and benefit from Morocco’s major national programs in water, energy, and transport, as well as the vast opportunities linked to Morocco’s co-hosting of the 2030 FIFA World Cup alongside Spain and Portugal.
Held under the theme “United Kingdom–Morocco: Inaugurating a New Era of Partnership,” the meeting featured interventions from prominent British figures, including former ministers and ambassadors Lord Daniel Hannan, Sir Liam Fox, The Rt Hon Tobias Ellwood, Mike Wood, and Nicholas Hopton, who examined all dimensions of the growing Moroccan-British cooperation.
Speakers highlighted the significance of the 50th anniversary of the Green March, which enabled Morocco to recover its Southern Provinces and reaffirmed the long-standing bonds of allegiance between the Throne and the Sahrawi tribes. They also praised the new development model for the Southern Provinces, launched under the leadership of His Majesty King Mohammed VI, as a transformative framework for sustainable progress.
The adoption of UN Resolution 2797 was applauded by the British panelists as a reflection of the clarity and wisdom of Morocco’s patient diplomacy, led by the Sovereign.
Turning to bilateral cooperation, participants stressed the importance of British businesses gaining a deeper understanding of Morocco’s dynamic development trajectory in order to seize the many high-value opportunities the Kingdom offers. Sectors such as aerospace, renewable energy, infrastructure, agriculture, and tourism were cited as key areas making Morocco a leading destination for investors.
Speakers also reaffirmed Morocco’s role as a gateway to Africa, emphasizing that the Kingdom’s stability, openness, and extensive network of global partnerships position it as a preferred destination and reliable partner on the continent.
A strong call was made for the British private sector to explore these opportunities and forge partnerships with Moroccan enterprises.
The event concluded with the screening of an institutional film retracing the epic story of the Green March and showcasing major development projects in the Southern Provinces, now emerging as a platform connecting Morocco to the Atlantic and the wider African continent.
Editorial team/le7tv