On June 5, 2026, Philippe Lalliot, the newly appointed ambassador of France to Morocco, made his inaugural public appearance at the Spring Meeting of the Paris Peace Forum held in Rabat. This event took place shortly after he formally presented his credentials to King Mohammed VI. During his address at Mohammed VI Polytechnic University (UM6P), Lalliot emphasized Rabat's significant role as a pivotal location for addressing global challenges, describing the city as a crucial bridge connecting Africa, Europe, and the Arab world.
In his remarks, Lalliot linked the forum’s overarching theme of “Resilient Transitions” to essential international efforts focused on sustainable development, climate adaptation, and global governance. He underscored that nations must collaborate effectively to confront increasingly interconnected crises that transcend borders.
Furthermore, the ambassador pointed to the robust strategic partnership that has blossomed between Morocco and France since President Emmanuel Macron's state visit to the kingdom in 2024. A prime example of this collaboration is the recent launch of a substantial €350 million program aimed at enhancing groundwater management, flood prevention, and wastewater reuse. This initiative has been developed in conjunction with Morocco’s Ministry of Equipment and Water as well as various European partners, showcasing a shared commitment to tackling climate and developmental challenges through actionable projects rather than mere rhetoric.
Drawing from his previous experience leading the French Foreign Ministry’s crisis center, Lalliot expressed concerns over escalating geopolitical tensions, humanitarian crises, and pressing climate issues. He stressed the importance of maintaining multilateral cooperation and adhering to international law to navigate these complexities.
Hicham El Habti, President of UM6P, echoed Lalliot's sentiments, advocating that resilient transitions are vital for realizing sustainable development goals, especially across the African continent. He pointed out that currently, less than 20% of the global Sustainable Development Goals are on track to be achieved by 2030.
Additionally, El Habti highlighted the university's initiatives aimed at improving African food systems through its Transitions Chair initiative. This includes ambitious plans initiated at the 2025 World Economic Forum in Davos, which seek to double the annual investment in African agri-food systems from $50 billion to $100 billion by the year 2030.
The Spring Meeting of the Paris Peace Forum serves as a vital gathering for policymakers, academics, and development experts, fostering discussions on governance, resilience, and international cooperation amidst a backdrop of increasing global uncertainty.
As reported by en.hespress.com.
