1. Ambassador and Deputy Minister for Climate Change Hyoeun Jenny Kim visited Morocco from April 17 to 19 and met with Minister of Foreign Affairs, African Cooperation and Moroccan Expatriates Nasser Bourita; Minister of Industry and Trade Ryad Mezzour; and Secretary General of the Ministry of Energy Transition and Sustainable Development Zakaria Hachlaf. In the meetings, the two sides discussed the 2024 Korea-Africa Summit, Korean companies’ presence in Morocco and Korea-Morocco issues.

2. During the meeting with Minister Nasser Bourita on April 18, Ambassador Kim explained that the Korean government will hold the first-ever Korea-Africa Summit from June 4 to 5 this year with a view to nurturing mutually beneficial and long-term partnerships with African countries. Ambassador Kim requested invaluable participation and interest of Morocco in making the Summit a great success.

o Minister Bourita highly appreciated that the two countries have developed friendly and cooperative relations. Voicing his expectation on further strengthening bilateral cooperation on the occasion of the Korea-Africa Summit, he expressed his willingness to work actively together for the success of the Summit.

3. Ambassador Kim also met with Minister of Industry and Trade  Ryad Mezzour on April 18. Taking note of the potential for enhancing bilateral economic cooperation, the Ambassador requested close attention and favorable consideration of the government of Morocco to ensure globally competitive Korean companies’ participation in high-speed train and other projects in Morocco.

o Minister Mezzour agreed on the importance of strengthening substantive cooperation between Korea and Morocco, emphasizing that support will be extended for smooth business activities of Korean companies in Morocco.

4. Later in the day, Ambassador Kim met with Secretary General of the Ministry of Energy Transition and Sustainable Development Zakaria Hachlaf and emphasized the need for collective efforts of the global community in addressing the climate crisis, which threatens the survival and prosperity of humanity.

o Both sides concurred on the need to strengthen cooperation between Korea and Morocco on the combat against climate change and agreed to work together to conclude a “Framework Agreement for Cooperation on Climate Change” between the two governments on the occasion of the Korea-Africa Summit.

5. Ambassador Kim’s visit to Morocco served as a significant opportunity to reaffirm the long-standing ties of friendship and cooperation between the two countries and to explore ways to boost their substantive cooperation in the future. The visit is also seen to have contributed to enhancing Morocco’s interest and engagement in the Korea-Africa Summit.