Laâyoune Declaration

Kigali: The heads of delegation of the countries taking part in the 3rd Morocco-Pacific Island States forum, which ended in Laayoune on Friday 28th February 2020, welcomed in a joint declaration the efforts of coordination for the achievement of the common objectives of peace, international security and sustainable development.

On this occasion, the Heads of the delegations expressed their strong will to strengthen coordination and to mutually support their respective positions within the United Nations and other International Organizations.

Reaffirming the common attachment to the principles of sovereign equality, independence and the territorial integrity of States, they solemnly affirmed that the Sahara region is an integral part of the Moroccan territory, and considered that the Moroccan autonomy initiative is “the one and only solution to the regional dispute over the Moroccan Sahara”.

In addition, they expressed their support “for the efforts carried out under the exclusive aegis of the United Nations to reach a realistic, pragmatic and lasting solution to this regional dispute, with full respect for Morocco’s territorial integrity and national sovereignty”.

As a reminder, the 3rd Morocco-Pacific Island States Forum, which was held in Laâyoune, from February 26 to 28, 2020, under the sign of the consolidation of cooperation ties, the implementation of commitments made in this direction , the unification of voices and the promotion of shared prosperity, ended with the adoption of the “Laayoune Declaration”.

This declaration establishes a roadmap for future cooperation between Morocco and the Pacific Island States and sets a calendar of meetings for the next few years. Four areas were chosen to strengthen the partnership, namely climate change, training, health and food security. (End)