Morocco and FAO reaffirm their commitment to strengthening small-scale fisheries

The Secretary of State for Maritime Fisheries, Ms. Zakia Driouich, received Mr. Alexandre Huynh, FAO Representative in Morocco, in Rabat on Wednesday as part of a courtesy visit focused on strengthening the strategic partnership between the Kingdom of Morocco and the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations.

At the heart of the discussions: the need to continue supporting the small-scale fishing sector, given its vital socio-economic role for coastal communities and its importance for food security, climate resilience, and the sustainability of marine resources.

Exemplary and renewed cooperation

Both parties praised the quality of the historic partnership between Morocco and the FAO, described as a model of continuous, inclusive, and results-oriented collaboration. Mr. Huynh expressed his appreciation for the close cooperation between the two institutions, emphasizing that Morocco is a regional benchmark in terms of fisheries sector governance.

The meeting also provided an opportunity to address the growing challenges posed by climate change to marine resources and the livelihoods of artisanal fishing communities. In this regard, particular emphasis was placed on the need to develop new cooperation mechanisms to strengthen the resilience of the sector, drawing in particular on innovation, sustainable management, and the sharing of expertise.

African commitment and vision of solidarity

Ms. Driouich reiterated the Kingdom of Morocco's commitment to promoting South-South cooperation, particularly through concrete initiatives benefiting African countries in the areas of capacity building, integrated management of fishery resources, and inclusive development of small-scale fisheries. She also highlighted Morocco's active participation in the 3rd United Nations Ocean Conference (UNOC 3), held in Nice in June 2025, as an illustration of its commitment to a common African vision in the face of global ocean challenges.

Towards a new phase of strategic collaboration

The two leaders expressed their shared desire to make this meeting a starting point for a new phase of cooperation, based on dialogue, solidarity and innovation. They underlined their convergence of views on priority issues such as:

• Equitable and sustainable ocean governance
• Preservation of fisheries resources in a context of climate vulnerability;
• The role of artisanal fishing in improving livelihoods and food security.
  

In conclusion, this meeting marks an important step towards strengthening the Morocco-FAO strategic partnership, in the service of a resilient, inclusive and sustainable fisheries sector, and in support of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), notably SDG 14: "Conserve and sustainably use the oceans, seas and marine resources for sustainable development".