Rabat, October 23, 2025 — The Europe Today: Morocco has been hailed by the United Nations’ top trade official as a global model for effective economic development, investment resilience, and regional cooperation.
Rebecca Grynspan, Secretary-General of the UN Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD), commended Morocco during a meeting with Minister of Industry and Trade Ryad Mezzour in Geneva this week, describing the North African nation as a “model” in advancing trade facilitation and cross-border collaboration.
Grynspan lauded Morocco’s modernized port operations, efficient trade systems, and strong public–private partnerships, emphasizing that “Morocco serves as a model for us,” particularly in its success in sharing development expertise through South-South cooperation.
Despite global declines in investment, Morocco has managed to sustain robust foreign direct investment inflows, a success Grynspan attributed to its efforts to diversify its economy, strengthen industrial capacity, and maintain investor confidence amid shifting global trends.
Morocco’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations Office in Geneva, Ambassador Omar Zniber, and Trade Director General Abdelouahed Rahal also attended the talks, which explored opportunities for enhanced collaboration with UNCTAD in areas such as food security, logistics, and trade.
A significant part of the discussion focused on King Mohammed VI’s Atlantic Initiative, an ambitious plan aimed at strengthening cooperation among Atlantic-facing African nations through joint development efforts, connectivity projects, and mutual support.
“The Secretary-General showed strong interest in His Majesty the King’s Atlantic Initiative,” Minister Mezzour said following the meeting, describing the dialogue as “highly productive and forward-looking.”
Mezzour underlined Morocco’s growing role as a trusted strategic partner and a source of adaptable development models that can benefit other emerging economies.
During his visit to Geneva for the 16th session of UNCTAD, which concluded on Wednesday, the minister also held meetings with senior representatives of various UN agencies, international organizations, and government ministers. He additionally chaired a ministerial session of the Global System of Trade Preferences among Developing Countries (GSTP), reaffirming Morocco’s commitment to promoting equitable trade and economic cooperation across the Global South.
