Morocco has showcased its extensive cultural heritage and commitment to South-South cooperation at the inaugural Africa-America summit held in Punta Cana, Dominican Republic, from October 2 to 5, Morocco’s News Agency (MAP) reported on Friday.
Morocco’s Ambassador to Santo Domingo, Hicham Dahane, highlighted the role of tourism as a catalyst for strengthening cooperation and mutual development with countries in the Global South, particularly in Africa and the Caribbean.
At the panel entitled “Building Opportunities Between Africa and the Americas,” Dahane stated that promoting tourism as a driver of economic growth represents part of King Mohammed VI’s vision for Morocco’s development.
The Executive Director of the United Nations World Tourism Organization (UNWTO), Natalia Bayona, identified the challenges that restrict the potential of tourism between the two regions, including connectivity issues, regulatory barriers, and a lack of market awareness.
The inaugural event maintains the principle of strengthening cooperation between the two continents by promoting innovation, education, investments, and creative industries to support the future growth of tourism.
The event included four panels, addressing key areas including cultural connections between Africa and the Americas, tourism investment potential for and between Africa and the Americas, education and innovation, and young talent.
Held from October 2-5, the Summit featured the adoption of “the Punta Cana Declaration” following the high-level ministerial meeting. The Declaration calls for a transformative partnership between Latin America, the Caribbean, and Africa to promote innovation, education, investment, and culture.
The partnership will create new opportunities for mutual growth, cooperation, and sustainable development within the framework of South-South cooperation.
Around 200 high-level participants took part in the summit, including 14 ministers representing 27 countries from both continents.