During the eighth joint commission meeting and sixth political consultations between Argentina and Morocco, held on June 11 in Buenos Aires, the Argentine capital officially sought Rabat’s backing for Rafael Grossi’s bid to become the next Secretary-General of the United Nations (UN).
President Javier Milei’s administration aims to position the current Director General of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), Rafael Grossi, as the successor to António Guterres. Argentina is actively courting Morocco, recognizing that its significant diplomatic influence across the African continent and within various multilateral forums lends exceptional weight to its endorsement, extending far beyond a mere bilateral agreement.
This crucial request emerged during discussions led by Roberto Salafia, Undersecretary for International Economic Negotiations and Integration, and Juan Manuel Navarro, Undersecretary for Foreign Policy, representing Argentina. Fouad Yazourh, Director General of International Political Affairs at the Moroccan Ministry of Foreign Affairs, spearheaded the Kingdom’s delegation. Both nations reviewed their political ties, key international issues, and potential avenues for expanded cooperation.
Buenos Aires underscored Grossi’s candidacy as “one of Argentina’s primary diplomatic priorities within the multilateral system, championed by a leader well-versed in international crises, dialogue among global powers, and the intricate mechanisms of international organizations.” Engaging Rabat marks a pivotal African dimension for Argentina’s campaign, as the selection of the next Secretary-General necessitates a recommendation from the Security Council, followed by an appointment from the General Assembly.
Morocco’s influence sought in the Security Council race
Since assuming leadership of the IAEA in 2019, Rafael Grossi has cultivated a distinguished international profile. This stems from his critical involvement in overseeing nuclear facilities amidst conflicts, facilitating discussions on Iran’s atomic program, and spearheading efforts to ensure the safety of Ukrainian power plants during the ongoing Russo-Ukrainian war. Argentina formally announced his candidacy in late 2025, subsequently initiating a global campaign to garner support from governments across various regions.
The strategic decision to approach Morocco stems from a precise diplomatic calculation. The Kingdom maintains an active presence within international institutions, boasts an extensive network across Africa, and engages in dialogue with key global decision-making centers. The Argentine delegation believes that “Moroccan support could significantly bolster Mr. Grossi’s credibility on the African continent and foster consensus among states whose influence is paramount in both the Security Council and the General Assembly.”
The race for the top UN position features several prominent figures from both Latin America and Africa. Former Chilean President Michelle Bachelet has already secured backing from Brazil. Rebeca Grynspan of Costa Rica, who serves as the Secretary-General of the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD), is also among the contenders, alongside Ecuador’s María Fernanda Espinosa and former Senegalese President Macky Sall. This diverse field of candidates compels Buenos Aires to cultivate support far beyond its immediate regional neighbors.
Argentine diplomacy actively highlights Mr. Grossi’s robust technical and political credentials. His tenure leading the IAEA has granted him access to the most sensitive negotiations concerning proliferation, nuclear security, and armed conflicts. Buenos Aires portrays him as “a diplomat capable of engaging major powers, maintaining channels of dialogue during tense periods, and restoring a more decisive political capacity to the UN.”
Within this comprehensive strategy, Morocco holds a unique position. Its significant influence in the Maghreb region, its strong relationships with numerous African states, its active engagement within multilateral institutions, and its partnerships with Europe, the United States, and the Global South, collectively make it a highly sought-after interlocutor. Rabat’s endorsement would provide Argentina with a crucial political conduit in a region where the contest for votes could prove decisive.
Bilateral trade projected to reach $1.092 billion by 2025
The consultations in Buenos Aires also served to broaden the economic dialogue between the two nations. Trade exchanges between Argentina and Morocco are anticipated to hit $1.092 billion by 2025, positioning the Kingdom as Argentina’s second-largest African market for exports. The delegations meticulously explored avenues to increase the proportion of higher value-added products and to unlock new spheres of bilateral cooperation.
Agriculture, energy, health, tourism, food safety, and air connectivity featured prominently in the discussions. Officials emphasized “the imperative of fostering a more robust structure for bilateral trade, enhancing collaboration between relevant administrations, and promoting joint projects in sectors where both economies possess immediate complementarities.”
For Argentina, Morocco represents a multifaceted partner: a significant market, a strategic gateway to Africa, and a vital political ally. Morocco’s thriving automotive industry, robust fertilizer sectors, burgeoning aeronautics, and textile production have collectively amplified its influence within regional production chains. Buenos Aires perceives this strong industrial foundation as fertile ground for forging commercial agreements, fostering technical collaborations, and expanding the footprint of Argentine enterprises across the continent.
Conversely, Rabat views Argentina as a crucial agricultural supplier and a valuable partner capable of strengthening its ties with South America. Discussions centered on sanitary regulations for agri-food products, the exchange of expertise in the energy sector, and the establishment of new air links designed to diminish commercial and diplomatic distances between the two Atlantic shores.
Ultimately, the Argentine delegation asserted that “the relationship with Rabat now extends beyond mere commerce, offering a significant platform for political consultation on major international balances, South-South cooperation, and the representation of Global South nations within global institutions.”
