By Abbas Nazil
Morocco and the United Arab Emirates are exploring stronger cooperation in renewable energy and industry as the two countries seek to expand collaboration in areas of shared economic and strategic interest.
The discussions took place in New York on Friday between Moroccan Foreign Minister Nasser Bourita and UAE Minister of Industry and Advanced Technology Sultan Ahmed Al Jaber on the sidelines of the 81st session of the United Nations General Assembly.
The meeting focused on bilateral cooperation, particularly in the energy and industrial sectors, with renewable energy identified as one of the key areas for further collaboration.
The two officials reviewed the longstanding relationship between Morocco and the UAE and examined opportunities to deepen cooperation in priority sectors.
Their discussions also covered ongoing cooperation under the UAE-led Integrative Industrial Partnership initiative, which seeks to promote industrial cooperation and sustainable economic development.
The meeting formed part of wider diplomatic engagements by Bourita in New York during the UN General Assembly, where Morocco has been holding discussions with international partners on bilateral, regional and global issues.
The renewable energy discussions come as both countries continue to pursue economic diversification and greater investment in emerging industries and clean-energy technologies.
The UAE has continued to promote renewable energy and advanced technology as part of its broader industrial and economic development strategy, while Morocco has also placed renewable energy and industrial development among areas of economic cooperation with international partners.
The UAE Ministry of Industry and Advanced Technology said the officials discussed ways to expand cooperation in areas of shared priority.
The meeting also provided an opportunity to review bilateral relations and identify areas where existing cooperation could be strengthened.
Bourita separately held meetings in New York with Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan Al Saud and Lebanese Foreign Minister and Emigrants Youssef Rajji.
Those discussions covered bilateral relations, cooperation across several fields and ways to strengthen ties between Morocco and the two countries.
The officials also exchanged views on regional and international developments of common interest and discussed coordination within international organisations, according to Morocco’s Foreign Ministry.
The talks involving Bourita and Al Jaber are part of a broader series of meetings taking place around the 81st UN General Assembly, where governments are using the gathering to discuss economic partnerships, energy, climate action and other international priorities.
The UAE’s engagement at the UN General Assembly has also included discussions on renewable energy, climate action, advanced technology and other areas linked to sustainable development.
Al Jaber currently serves as the UAE Minister of Industry and Advanced Technology and has responsibilities linked to the country’s industrial development and advanced technology agenda.
He also serves as Chairman of Masdar, the UAE’s clean-energy developer, and as the country’s Special Envoy for Climate Change.
The latest discussions provide another platform for Morocco and the UAE to examine opportunities for cooperation in renewable energy and industry alongside their wider bilateral relationship.
