Morocco-ASEAN: A Forward-Looking Multifaceted Partnership

The multidimensional and future-oriented partnership between Morocco and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) was highlighted during the recent working visit to the Kingdom by ASEAN Secretary-General Kao Kim Hourn.

This visit, the first by a senior ASEAN official to Africa, underscores the strategic importance ASEAN places on the Kingdom of Morocco.

In this regard, Mr. Kim Hourn emphasized that “thanks to His Majesty King Mohammed VI, Morocco is committed to strengthening cooperation with ASEAN and its member states.”

Indeed, political, economic, trade, cultural, and religious ties between Morocco and the 10 Southeast Asian states have grown exponentially, solidifying the Kingdom’s position as a privileged partner for these nations at the regional and international levels.

Similarly, joint actions over the years across various fields of cooperation have brought the countries and peoples of both regions closer together through expanded socio-cultural and tourism collaboration.

Trade exchanges have also surged, reaching nearly $1 billion in 2023. Additionally, Moroccan institutions have established numerous training programs for ASEAN member states and African countries under the framework of effective, action-oriented tripartite cooperation.

Morocco’s partnership with this regional bloc has been further elevated in recent years through its accession to the ASEAN Treaty of Amity and Cooperation (TAC) in 2016, obtaining Observer Member status at the ASEAN Inter-Parliamentary Assembly (AIPA) in 2020, and gaining Associate Member status with the Southeast Asian Ministers of Education Organization (SEAMEO) in 2021. These milestones enable the Kingdom to play an active and constructive role across these forums.

This virtuous momentum in Morocco-ASEAN relations was further cemented in 2023 when Morocco secured “Sectoral Dialogue Partner” status with ASEAN and adopted a 2024-2028 roadmap, reinforcing Morocco’s role as a key interlocutor and privileged partner for the Association in Africa.

In this context, Morocco is the only North African country—and one of only two African nations—to hold this status.

During his visit to Rabat, the ASEAN Secretary-General also praised Morocco’s leadership role in Africa and the Arab world, acknowledging His Majesty King Mohammed VI’s visionary efforts to advance the Kingdom’s socio-economic development, implement successful reforms, and achieve major infrastructure advancements that ensure Morocco’s continued stability, prosperity, and growth.

The Secretary-General further expressed ASEAN countries’ desire to leverage Morocco’s strategic position as a gateway to Africa, the Middle East, and Europe by capitalizing on the Kingdom’s assets—economic agreements, geographic location, infrastructure, and stability.

He also highlighted ASEAN’s interest in benefiting from strategic initiatives launched by His Majesty King Mohammed VI to support African nations, including the initiative to grant Sahel states access to the Atlantic Ocean, the Atlantic African Gas Pipeline, and the Initiative for Atlantic African States.

Mr. Kim Hourn concurrently urged Rabat to view ASEAN as a gateway to the Indo-Pacific region, reflecting the highly strategic nature of the two partners’ relations.

Moreover, Morocco and ASEAN countries have built relations grounded in mutual trust and respect for the territorial integrity of UN member states. In this spirit, ASEAN—through its Secretary-General during his recent visit—reaffirmed its steadfast support for Morocco’s sovereignty and territorial integrity.

Looking ahead, Morocco-ASEAN relations hold immense potential and are poised for substantial growth and diversification in the coming years across areas of critical importance to both partners.