In addition to the Moroccan delegation, the event brought together representatives from the Norwegian Ministries of Foreign Affairs, Trade, Industry and Fisheries, the Norwegian Agency for Development (NORAD) and the Norwegian Institute for Marine Research, as well as representatives of the ambassadors of Portugal and Ghana, Spain and Iceland.

Speaking at the event, Morocco's ambassador to Norway Nabila Freidji emphasized the importance of aquaculture as a key lever for boosting food security in Africa.

She highlighted Morocco's strategic role as both a regional leader and a central player in Atlantic cooperation, thanks to its innovative initiatives to increase fish production while preserving coastal ecosystems.

Freidji also spoke of the Royal Atlantic Initiative, which offers landlocked Sahelian countries access to maritime resources and integration into global value chains.

This project reflects Morocco's ambitious vision to promote sustainable and inclusive development on a regional scale and beyond.

In turn, Permanent Secretary of the African Atlantic States Process (AASP) Tarik Iziraren emphasized the importance of the Royal initiative as an integrated framework for harmonious development in the African Atlantic region.

He also underlined the Kingdom's significant efforts to improve maritime connectivity, a prerequisite for strengthening regional integration in this part of Africa and boosting its participation in world trade.

During the round table, Norwegian participants presented several international cooperation programs, such as Fish for Development, Oceans for Development and the EAF-Nansen Program, which focus on innovation, technical capacity building and applied research.

On the sidelines of the gathering, the Moroccan delegation held bilateral meetings with the Norwegian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and NORAD to explore opportunities for cooperation in areas of common interest, notably food security and aquaculture promotion.