ASEAN SG Praises HM King Mohammed VI's Leadership in Advancing Socioeconomic Development in Morocco
The Secretary General of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), Kao Kim Hourn, praised His Majesty King Mohammed VI's leadership in advancing social and economic development in Morocco, expressing his appreciation for the Royal initiatives for Africa.
This position was expressed in the Joint Summary of Meeting between the Minister of Foreign Affairs, African Cooperation and Moroccan Expatriates, Nasser Bourita, and ASEAN Secretary-General.
In this document, Kao, who is on his first visit to Morocco and Africa, praised 'His Majesty King Mohammed VI's leadership in advancing social and economic developments towards ensuring continued stability, prosperity and development in the country.'
He also commended 'the major socio-economic and infrastructure developments and the successful reforms achieved in Morocco.'
Kao also praised His Majesty King Mohammed VI's enlightened vision for the African continent through the Strategic Royal Initiatives.
In this regard, he noted with appreciation the Atlantic Initiatives launched by His Majesty King Mohammed VI, namely the Initiative to enable Atlantic Ocean Access for Sahel states, the Africa-Atlantic Gas pipeline (AAGP) and the Atlantic African States Initiatives.
The ASEAN Secretary-General underlined that Morocco's 'numerous assets make it an attractive platform for trade and investments for ASEAN governments and business communities.'
He added that the 'partnership between both sides will facilitate the access of ASEAN to the African space and the opportunities offered under the Atlantic Initiatives in the region.'
Bourita and Kao agreed that Morocco offers an important gateway for ASEAN Member States to Africa. In the same vein, ASEAN represents a real opportunity for Morocco to develop and open up for more economic cooperation with the region in particular and with Asia as a whole.
ASEAN Secretary-General Kao Kim Hourn is paying a working visit to Morocco from June 24 to 26 at the invitation of Bourita.
This regional grouping includes the 10 countries of Southeast Asia: Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore, Thailand, the Philippines, Brunei Darussalam, Vietnam, Laos, Myanmar, and Cambodia.
MAP: 24 June 2025
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Morocco World
14 hours ago
- Morocco World
Moroccan Human Rights Leader Amina Bouayach Drives Africa's Zero Torture Mission
Rabat — Morocco's head of the National Council for Human Rights (CNDH) Amina Bouayach brings a bold vision to Cape Verde this week: an Africa completely free of torture. The leader of the African Network of National Preventive Mechanisms Against Torture, she guides representatives from 15 African nations in pursuit of this ambitious goal. 'Zero torture is not just a slogan — it's a practical goal we aim to achieve through prevention mechanisms, transparency, and responsible use of technology,' Bouayach said in her opening speech of the two-day conference in Praia. From Marrakech to around the continent Bouayach launched this continental effort in Marrakech in 2023, where African nations signed the foundational 'Marrakech Declaration.' Cape Town hosted the second conference in 2024, building institutional capacity. Now, Praia marks the third annual gathering, focusing specifically on 'Technology and Torture Prevention.' The network's permanent secretariat operates from Morocco under Bouayach's guidance, chosen by member states to coordinate continental anti-torture efforts. 'After the foundational Marrakech meeting and Cape Town's capacity-building focus, the Praia conference continues our institutional development toward an integrated African vision for torture prevention,' she explained. Technology meets human rights This year's conference breaks new ground by examining how digital tools can strengthen prevention efforts. Sessions will explore using technology during facility visits, report preparation, and capacity building for national mechanisms. Bouayach focused on the need for balance, saying: 'We must use technology responsibly,' pointing out concerns about data protection and individual privacy in human rights work. African solutions philosophy Bouayach's approach centers on homegrown solutions rather than imported models. 'Africa doesn't need to copy anyone — it needs to create its own solutions,' she said. 'Our initiative is African… from Africa for Africa's benefit… by African hands for all Africans.' The conference includes participants from Morocco, Cape Verde, Senegal, South Africa, Niger, Benin, Burkina Faso, Togo, Tunisia, Rwanda, Madagascar, Mali, Mauritania, Mozambique, and Nigeria. International organizations, including the UN Subcommittee on Prevention of Torture and the African Commission on Human and Peoples Rights, are also participating. During the Cape Verde meeting, the network will adopt internal regulations, select an East Africa representative, and announce next year's host country. 'Organizing our conference this year is another step in our effort to contribute to building a more humane future for Africa together,' Bouayach concluded. Her leadership transforms the fight against torture from individual national efforts into a coordinated continental movement, positioning Africa to lead global human rights innovation through technology and cooperation. Tags: Amina Bouayachhuman rightsZero torture
Maroc
15 hours ago
- Maroc
COBCO's Manufacturing Unit for Electric Battery Materials, Major Milestone in Morocco's Industry
The first manufacturing unit dedicated to the production of electric battery active materials, inaugurated by COBCO company on Wednesday in Jorf Lasfar, Morocco, marks a major milestone in the country's industry. A fruit of a strategic partnership between AL MADA, a Moroccan pan-African investment fund, and CNGR Advanced Materials, a global leader in battery materials, this industrial platform confirms Morocco's growing role as a regional hub in clean-technology industry and a committed player in global green-technology. On the occasion of the inauguration of this unit, COBCO announced the commissioning of the first phase of its production complex for nickel-manganese-cobalt (NMC) precursor cathodes (pCAM). This industrial platform, spanning more than 238 hectares, is dedicated to the recovery of metals critical to the energy transition, especially domestic natural resources such as phosphate, cobalt and manganese. These raw materials are transformed locally into strategic components for batteries used in EV and stationary energy markets. The plant, which has committed a total investment of MAD 20 billion (around $2 billion), is in charge of the production of high-tech chemical components for the manufacture of lithium-ion batteries, mainly for the European and North American markets. Two types of strategic products will be deployed, requiring heavy investment, advanced expertise and cutting-edge technologies. These are NMC (Nickel-Manganese-Cobalt) precursors, with a target production capacity of 120,000 metric tons per year, and LFP (Lithium-Iron-Phosphate) cathodes, with a target production capacity of 60,000 metric tons/year. COBCO also covers the upstream part of the value chain, with a dual ambition: to strengthen local integration and generate industrial value in Morocco, through the refining of critical metals (nickel, cobalt, manganese), used in the production of NMC precursors, and the recycling of black mass, the residue from the crushing of end-of-life batteries, in order to extract the strategic metals (lithium, nickel, cobalt), with a processing capacity of 30,000 metric tons per year. Ultimately, all of these capacities will generate a combined capacity equivalent to 70 GWh per year, enough to equip nearly one million EVs annually. By catalyzing the emergence of a Moroccan ecosystem dedicated to the strategic electric battery industry and targeting European and North American markets, COBCO aims to become a strategic industrial lever between Africa, Europe and China, and a key part of Morocco's repositioning as a regional energy and industrial hub, serving the global energy transition. On the ground, more than 5,000 jobs were created during the construction phase. Ultimately, more than 1,800 highly skilled direct jobs will be created, as well as 1,800 indirect jobs in subcontracting, logistics, services, and local infrastructure. As for COBCO's environmental strategy, it rests on several pillars, including the implementation of an low-carbon footprint industrial plant, based on circular economy and environmental performance, certification procedures for the main international standards will be launched starting 2025 as well as a sustainable production, based on the usage of Moroccan green energy (with an objective of 80% in 2025 and 100% by the end of 2026), as well as the usage of desalinated water and water treatment and recycling systems. It is clear that Morocco is emerging as a credible and strategic industrial platform, combining free trade agreements with the European Union and the U.S., with logistical proximity to Europe and a structured production environment and a qualified workforce. MAP: 25 June 2025
Morocco World
17 hours ago
- Morocco World
Chinese Energy Giant CHINT Deepens Africa Commitment with Localized Strategy
Chinese smart energy provider CHINT is accelerating its commitment to Africa's energy transition through a localization strategy that spans manufacturing, renewable energy projects, and grid infrastructure development across the continent. Speaking to Morocco World News (MWN) at the Africa Energy Forum in Cape Town, Tina Wu, CHINT's Deputy General Manager for West Asia & Africa Business Headquarters, outlined the company's comprehensive approach to supporting Africa's energy transformation over more than two decades of operations. Tina Wu, CHINT's Deputy General Manager for West Asia & Africa Business Headquarters Wu described the continent 'as a very important market' for its firm's global development, adding, 'We hope that we can bring more localization here.' She spoke of CHINT's evolution from a Chinese component manufacturer to a global energy solutions provider. Founded 41 years ago, CHINT began with low-voltage components before expanding into medium and high voltage equipment, and eventually renewable energy solutions. Today, the company operates across more than 140 countries, offering integrated services from renewable generation, battery storage, power transmission and distribution, to industrial power systems. In Africa, CHINT has established a significant presence across over 30 countries during its 20-year regional journey. The company's strategy centers on 'one-stop solutions to the power grids, renewable energies as well as many industry and power systems,' Wu noted. The localization commitment is evident in CHINT's infrastructure investments. The company operates three subsidiaries in Egypt, Kenya and Nigeria, complemented by offices in Algeria, Tunisia, and South Africa. Most notably, CHINT has established manufacturing facilities in Egypt, Kenya, and Uganda, demonstrating its commitment to local production and job creation. 'The more deep local decision is our strategy that we hope can be a part of the local cultures, and part of the local social development,' Wu explained, pointing out how localization enables greater contribution to African development. In North Africa, CHINT maintains active operations across Morocco, Algeria, Tunisia, and Egypt, with particular focus on grid modernization and renewable energy deployment. Wu noted that the company has been 'accepted by local grids and local key partners' throughout the region. Morocco represents a key market for CHINT's North African operations, where the company has participated in several significant infrastructure projects, and expand the distribution channel. The company's comprehensive service offering — spanning renewable generation, battery storage, transmission and distribution, and industrial power systems — positions it as a one-stop solution provider for Africa's complex energy challenges. As African nations accelerate their renewable energy adoption and grid modernization efforts, CHINT's localized manufacturing and service capabilities offer a strategic advantage in delivering cost-effective, culturally-adapted energy solutions across the continent's diverse markets. Tags: AfricaAfrica Energy Forum (AEF)ChintenergyMorocco
