Morocco’s Foreign Affairs Minister Nasser Bourita held talks with Jean-Pierre Lacroix, the UN Deputy Secretary-General for Peace Operations, on Wednesday in Rabat, for strengthening cooperation between Morocco and the UN on issues related to the future of peacekeeping operations.
This is Lacroix’s first official visit to Morocco. He expressed his sincere gratitude to Morocco for its longstanding commitment and significant contribution to UN peacekeeping operations since its independence.
The official praised the efforts of the Royal Armed Forces (FAR) in the various peacekeeping missions in Africa, commending Morocco’s role in all negotiations regarding the reform of the peacekeeping architecture initiated by UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres.
“The contribution and support of Morocco to peacekeeping operations are fundamental to us,” said Lacroix. “The Kingdom is one of the strongest partners in peacekeeping, particularly for its consistent support for initiatives aimed at promoting peacekeeping and providing tailored responses to evolving crises.”
The Deputy Secretary-General also paid tribute to the 60 Moroccans who passed away on duty.
Bourita reiterated the firm and unwavering support of the Kingdom—calling to light the UN Action for Peacekeeping (A4P) Initiative–aimed at enabling the UN to meet the multidimensional challenges facing peacekeeping operations.
Given the geopolitical volatility in the world today, the 75th anniversary of UN Peacekeeping Operations requires a new, holistic, and operational approach in line with a pragmatic and inclusive approach involving all stakeholders to promote long-lasting political solutions, elaborated Bourita.
The minister also expressed the Kingdom’s full support for the Future Summit planned during the 79th Session of the General Assembly in 2024, recalling Morocco’s commitments following the launch of its “Women, Peace and Security” Action Plan, as well as the initiatives it has taken within the UN, notably in the fight against hate speech and misinformation against UN peacekeepers.
Morocco ranks among the world’s top ten contributors to UN peacekeeping operations. It currently deploys 1,724 peacekeepers in the Central African Republic, the Democratic Republic of Congo, and South Sudan.
The Kingdom has chaired the Non-Aligned Movement’s coordination group on UN peacekeeping in New York for many years. It also initiated the creation of a group of affinity states to combat hate speech and misinformation against peacekeepers.
UN Military Advisor General Birame Diop, UN Secretary-General’s Civilian Advisor Gueladio Ba, and Director for the UN and International Organizations at the Foreign Affairs Ministry Redouane Houssaini all attended the meeting.