Morocco, UK Sign Cooperation Framework on Climate Action, Clean Energy

On May 9, 2023

A strategic cooperation framework was signed by Morocco and the UK as a show of their commitment to stepping up their collaboration in areas including sustainable energy.

The agreement was signed on Tuesday in Rabat during the fourth round of the UK-Morocco strategic dialogue by Moroccan Foreign Minister Nasser Bourita and Lord Tariq Ahmed, Minister of State for the Middle East, North Africa, South Asia, and the UN.

The strategic framework seeks to facilitate cooperation between the two nations in a variety of fields, such as environmental protection, clean energy, and sustainable economic development.

Additionally, the agreement aims to support Morocco’s efforts to create a low-carbon and robust economy.

Lord Ahmed referred to the signing as “another milestone in the UK-Morocco relations as we reaffirmed our common vision for the establishment of a strategic partnership and deepening friendship between our two Kingdoms.”

For a long time, the UK has underlined how interested it is in increasing collaboration with Morocco in a range of fields, including agriculture and renewable energy.

In a recent interview from May of last year, UK Ambassador Simon Martin made similar plea, highlighting how Morocco’s new approach to development provides a chance to more effectively take advantage of emerging prospects for the economies of the two nations.

“This will allow a new impetus to bilateral relations between the two countries which have just celebrated the 300th anniversary of the first diplomatic treaty signed between the Kingdom of Morocco and the United Kingdom in 1721,” he said.

Many nations have recently become interested in Morocco due to its potential in the field of renewable energy sources.

Numerous significant renewable energy initiatives are located throughout the nation, including the largest power plant in the world, the Ouarzazate power plant. With a 580 megawatt capacity, the plant provides energy to nearly 2 million Moroccans.

Along with renewable energy, Morocco and the US want to increase economic, political and cultural exchange, and sector-specific collaboration.

The United Kingdom reaffirmed its commitment to the Western Sahara peace process during the fourth dialogue session and its support for Morocco’s initiatives.