Cotonou kicks off seventh ministerial session of the Atlantic African states process
In a significant step toward strengthening continental unity, the 7th Ministerial Meeting of the Process of Atlantic African States (PAAS) opened today in Cotonou, co-chaired by Morocco and Benin. Under the visionary leadership of His Majesty King Mohammed VI, this gathering aims to reinforce political momentum for a shared future across Africa’s Atlantic coastline.
The high-level delegation from Morocco, led by Ambassador Mohamed Methqal, Director General of the Moroccan Agency for International Cooperation (AMCI), includes key figures such as Tarik Iziraren, Permanent Secretary of the PAAS, and Rachid Rguibi, Morocco’s Ambassador to Benin. Senior officials from Morocco’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Department of African Cooperation, and the Office of Moroccan Residents Abroad also took part in the discussions.
Building on years of progress
The Process of Atlantic African States was launched in Rabat in June 2022 with a clear mandate: transform Africa’s Atlantic space into a region of peace, stability, and shared prosperity. Since then, it has made remarkable strides, including the establishment of a permanent secretariat in Rabat and the creation of three thematic working groups focused on political dialogue, maritime security, blue economy, maritime connectivity, energy transition, and marine environmental protection.
Previous ministerial gatherings—held in Rabat and New York alongside UN General Assembly sessions, as well as in Praia in May 2025—have already yielded concrete outcomes. These include joint declarations and action plans to bolster cooperation among Atlantic-facing African nations on maritime security, sustainable fisheries, energy transition, and inclusive development.
A new chapter for regional integration
The Cotonou meeting builds on this foundation, seeking to deepen coordination among member states and advance the co-development of Africa’s Atlantic region. With a shared commitment to dialogue and collective action, the gathering underscores the growing importance of regional partnerships in driving sustainable growth and resilience across coastal communities.
