“His Majesty’s Atlantic Vision transforms without replacing, integrates without competing, enriches without dividing”, underlined Morocco’s Ambassador to the United States, Youssef Amrani, revealing the ambitious scope of this Royal vision as an innovative model of regional cooperation in the service of sustainable development and shared prosperity.
Speaking before an audience of academics, diplomats and journalists during the 3rd International Symposium on the explorer Mustapha Zemmouri (Estivanico), devoted to transatlantic connections, Amrani stressed how this avant-garde initiative represents a fundamental change in Atlantic cooperation.
During this symposium which focused on Estivanico, the first African explorer of North America who was born in the Moroccan city of Azemmour, the ambassador spoke of Zemmouri’s remarkable journey as the first breath of a wind which today guides the sails of transatlantic cooperation.
“The inspiring story of Mustapha Zemmouri reminds us that Africa has always occupied a central place in this maritime space,” he stressed, during this conference organized by CUNY in collaboration with the Consulate General of Morocco in New York.
He further noted that the resilience, cultural exchange and transformation that marked Zemmouri’s odyssey are found today in this Royal vision which redraws the contours of international cooperation.
The ambassador pointed out that this initiative is already “a reality on the ground” that is producing tangible results. It aims to establish strategic bridges across the Atlantic Ocean, connecting Africa with the wider Atlantic space, as a vital maritime domain.
In this respect, Amrani outlined several key components of this ambitious vision starting from the development of major port infrastructure to connect African and American markets, creating many opportunities for both continents. The implementation of the high value-added Africa-Atlantic Gas Pipeline project that strengthens regional integration generating shared inclusive prosperity as well as the deployment of Morocco’s agricultural expertise to address food security challenges across Africa were all discussed.
A defining feature of the Royal Initiative is its approach to partnership. “Through this initiative, Africa is at the forefront of new partnerships across the Atlantic,” the ambassador said, highlighting how the Initiative changes traditional paradigms of cooperation by positioning Africa as an equal partner.
This perspective represents a significant departure from the traditional North-South dynamic that has long characterized Atlantic relations. Amrani said that the Royal Initiative instead lays the foundations for a “multi-directional network” of cooperation that benefits all stakeholders.
“This proven approach rightly represents a fundamental change in regional cooperation, giving rise to significant changes and shared prosperity for all,” he concluded.
For his part, the Consul General of the Kingdom in New York, Abdelkader Jamoussi, stressed that this highly symbolic event coincides with the celebration in the United States this February of African heritage.
He noted the contributions of this “pioneering” African explorer to the exploration of important facets of the geography of the United States, its society and its different cultures, noting that Zemmouri’s journey highlights the historical links between Morocco, Africa and the Americas and serves as a source of inspiration, particularly in terms of cultural diplomacy.
In the same vein, Abdeslem Idrissi, professor at the City University of New York, indicated that the objective of this symposium is to create a space for dialogue to forge fruitful partnerships across the Atlantic. According to Idrissi, who hosted the conference, it is also about promoting future collaborations in the field of cultural diplomacy and academic research that draw on a shared historical framework.
In turn, Hsain Ilahiane, professor at the University of Arizona, noted that Estivanico’s journey symbolizes Morocco’s historical role as a link between Africa, Europe and the Americas and highlights the Kingdom’s contributions, throughout history, to this Atlantic space.
Organized with the support of Royal Air Maroc, OCP and the Casablanca-Settat region, this conference was marked by the participation of Chouaib Halifi and Taoufik Jaafari, both professors at Hassan II University, and American academics Paul Schneider, Ephraim Isaac and John Wing.
On this occasion, a memorandum of understanding was signed between the Hassan II University of Casablanca, represented by Samira Rguibi, head of the English Studies Department, and the College of Staten Island of CUNY, represented by its president, Timothy Lynch. This agreement aims in particular to strengthen cooperation and academic exchange between the two institutions.
Participants in this meeting were also able to appreciate the works of the painter Abdelkrim Alazhar. The paintings of this artist from Azemmour depict portraits of Estivanico and his hometown. Works by the Moroccan artist based in New York, Abdelilah Ennassef, were also exhibited.
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