Moroccan Sahara: Opening in Dakhla of the First International Forum on Cooperation in Support of Project Development
The proceedings of the first edition of the International Forum on “Cooperation in Support of Project Development” opened on Friday in Dakhla, with the participation of a wide range of experts and stakeholders from various fields, representing several countries.
Organized through February 8 at the initiative of the Helvetia Sahel Association, an NGO dedicated to strengthening cooperation between Switzerland, Morocco and the countries of the Sahel and West Africa, the forum is part of a broader dynamic aimed at promoting sustainable development, social inclusion, culture and investment.
On this occasion, the President of the Helvetia Sahel Association, Souad Moumou, stated that this initiative seeks to lay the foundations for lasting cooperation and to strengthen ties between Switzerland and the countries of the Sahel, starting from the city of Dakhla, described as a strategic platform for the convergence of ideas and projects, as well as for the exchange of expertise.
This first edition of the forum is structured around four main pillars, namely education, training and the social sector, sustainable development, transport and logistics, as well as investment and investor attractiveness, Ms Moumou explained in a statement to the press.
She also highlighted the growing interest generated by the cooperation opportunities offered by the Dakhla Oued Eddahab region, as reflected in the notable participation of experts and stakeholders from several countries, including Saudi Arabia, France, Guatemala, Jordan, the United Kingdom, Senegal, Switzerland and Morocco.
For his part, the Consul General of Senegal in Dakhla, Babou Sène, emphasized the development experience of the region, which he described as an inspiring model in terms of territorial development.
According to him, the strategic vision launched several years ago by His Majesty King Mohammed VI is now bearing full fruit, making the Dakhla Oued Eddahab region one of the most dynamic economically, given the volume of public and private investment injected into various sectors.
The Senegalese diplomat also stressed the strategic role now played by Dakhla as a major point of connection with sub Saharan Africa, particularly the countries of the Sahel, thus contributing to the strengthening of South South cooperation and serving African integration.
The forum aims to reinforce the positioning of Dakhla as a reference hub for global, sustainable and innovative development, and to establish it as a platform for trilateral cooperation between Morocco, Switzerland and the countries of the Sahel, in full coherence with the High Royal Vision for the development of the Southern Provinces and within the framework of the Atlantic Initiative, based on African integration, South South cooperation and shared prosperity.
The forum program includes several conferences addressing various themes, notably “The Moroccan South as a catalyst for territorial cooperation in support of the development of Sahel countries”, “The digitalization of continuing education as a lever for accelerating South South cooperation” and “Best practices for the operational success of investment in the Southern Provinces”, as well as roundtables and workshops dedicated to training and employability.
This event constitutes the first stage of the Helvetia Sahel 2026–2036 strategic program, which aims to consolidate Dakhla’s role as a strategic platform for consultation, dialogue and project implementation, notably through the opportunities offered by the Dakhla Atlantic Port and the regional territorial ecosystem.
The forum will conclude with the adoption of the “Dakhla Declaration 2026”, through which the signatories commit to establishing a permanent platform for cooperation and project implementation, encouraging public private partnerships and promoting responsible investment, while placing youth, training and culture at the heart of trilateral cooperation between Switzerland, Morocco and the countries of the Sahel.
In addition, the human and cultural dimension is fully integrated into the forum’s activities through artistic, cultural and sporting events aimed at strengthening ties between peoples, highlighting the potential of youth, and promoting the values of social cohesion and intercultural dialogue.
Thematic working groups will be formed at the conclusion of the event to structure a portfolio of implementable projects. The outcomes of this program will then be presented at an international event in Geneva in May 2026, intended for Swiss investors and institutions.
Editorial team/le7tv
