Morocco's Ambassador Presents Credentials to ASEAN, Boosting Cooperation

Morocco's new ambassador to the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), Redouane Houssaini, has officially begun his duties by presenting his credentials to ASEAN Secretary-General Kao Kim Hourn. This move is expected to expedite cooperation between Rabat and one of the world's fastest-growing economic blocs.

Secretary-General Hourn congratulated Ambassador Houssaini and reiterated ASEAN's commitment to strengthening the sectoral dialogue partnership with Morocco, which was established in 2023. He also expressed appreciation for Morocco's support in building the ASEAN community. Ambassador Houssaini thanked the Secretary-General and expressed his eagerness to collaborate closely with ASEAN member states and the secretariat to further enhance Morocco's relations and cooperation with the bloc.

Morocco appointed its first ambassador to ASEAN in 2010. Ambassador Houssaini succeeds Ambassador Wadiaa Benabdellah, who concluded his term in April 2025. Morocco officially became a sectoral dialogue partner of ASEAN on September 4, 2023, during a meeting of ASEAN foreign ministers in Jakarta, Indonesia. This status provides a formal framework for deepening cooperation in various areas of mutual interest.

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ASEAN Secretariat renews its commitment to continue strengthening its sectoral dialogue partnership with Morocco, established in 2023.

The first ASEAN-Morocco Joint Committee on Sectoral Cooperation meeting was held on December 1, 2023, institutionalizing the new partnership. Both sides adopted the committee's terms of reference and identified practical areas for cooperation from 2024 to 2028. These areas span trade and investment, the digital economy, science, technology, innovation, tourism, transportation, agriculture, and food security. The partnership also extends to political and security matters, including combating cross-border crime, terrorism, violent extremism, maritime cooperation, peace, conflict resolution, governance, the rule of law, and human rights.

Both Morocco and ASEAN reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening this partnership in November 2024 during the second joint committee meeting. The 46th ASEAN Summit in May 2025 welcomed the progress made in sectoral dialogue partnerships, including the one with Morocco. ASEAN comprises ten countries, Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore, Thailand, the Philippines, Vietnam, Brunei, Cambodia, Laos, and Myanmar, representing a population of over 680 million people and a significant economic powerhouse with a GDP of approximately $3.8 trillion in 2024.

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I look forward to working closely with ASEAN member states and the Secretariat to further strengthen Morocco's relations and cooperation with ASEAN during my tenure.