H.E. Mr. Nasser Bourita, Minister of Foreign Affairs, African Cooperation and Moroccan Expatriates of the Kingdom of Morocco and H.E. Mr. Motegi Toshimitsu, Minister for Foreign Affairs of Japan, held a video conference, on May 8, 2026.

The meeting was an opportunity to reiterate the longstanding relations between the Kingdom of Morocco and Japan and to laud the deep ties of friendship and cooperation that have united the two countries. In this regard, the Ministers welcomed the 70th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations in 2026, not only as a testament of the historical bonds between the two countries, but also as a manifestation of the solid and growing partnership between the two countries.

The Ministers, therefore, decided to celebrate this memorable year through the exchange of congratulatory letters, the holding of a commemorative ceremony, the creation of a commemorative logo, and the organization of various cultural events including friendly match between the national football teams of the two countries.

The Ministers recalled the successful signing, on May 31, 2024, of the "Memorandum of Cooperation for a Reinforced Partnership", a milestone in bilateral relations, which reaffirms the will of both sides to develop their multifaceted cooperation in an array of fields.

They also expressed their shared commitment to strengthening further the relations between the two countries as follows:

A. Political cooperation

1. The Ministers welcomed the positive development of the relations between the two countries throughout various fields, consolidated by seven decades of diplomatic relations.

2. The Ministers decided to institutionalize a strategic dialogue through regular holding of Political Consultations to strengthen cooperation between the Ministries of Foreign Affairs of both countries. In this regard, the Ministers shared interest in holding the next session of Political Consultations in 2027 in Rabat.

3. Regarding Western Sahara, Japan welcomed the adoption of United Nations Security Council Resolution 2797, on October 31, 2025, which endorsed Morocco's Autonomy Proposal as basis for a just, lasting, and mutually acceptable solution to the dispute and affirmed that genuine autonomy under Moroccan sovereignty could constitute a most feasible solution. Japan expressed its support for the Secretary-General of the United Nations and his Personal Envoy in facilitating and conducting negotiations taking as basis Morocco's Autonomy Proposal with a view to achieving a just, lasting, and mutually acceptable resolution to the dispute. Japan called upon the parties to engage in these discussions without preconditions, taking as basis Morocco's Autonomy Proposal, with a view to achieving a final and mutually acceptable political solution, and recognized that genuine autonomy could represent a most feasible outcome. On this occasion, Minister Motegi reiterated that Japan stands ready to act taking into account its position and the current progress of the situation, including at the diplomatic and economic levels.

B. Security Cooperation

1. The Ministers expressed their intention to promote cooperation in areas of United Nations peacekeeping including through the United Nations Triangular Partnership Programme for providing training and operational support on engineering, medical, C4ISR and telemedicine for peacekeeping operations, as well as through cooperation with Morocco's Center of Excellence for Peacekeeping Operations.

2. The Ministers stressed the importance of cooperating to develop capacities and exchange information, analysis and risk assessments related to issues that pertain to their national security, in particular:

   1. Cooperation to counter terrorism and violent extremism, as well as transnational organized crime;

   2. Cooperation in issues of common interest in Africa, the Middle-East, Europe and Asia, as well as in other areas identified by both sides;

   3. Cooperation in disarmament and non-proliferation of nuclear weapons and other weapons of mass destruction; and

   4. Any other issues to be identified by both countries.

3. The Ministers underlined the importance of strengthening cooperation on assisting their nationals in times of crises occurring abroad.

C. Climate Action & Energy Transition

1. The Ministers expressed their determination to intensify cooperation on climate mitigation and adaptation, including joint initiatives on renewable energy integration, energy transition pathways, and participation in multilateral climate processes.

2. They underlined the importance of aligning national energy transitions with global climate objectives.

3. The Ministers are committed to deepening collaboration in renewable energy technologies, and to explore concrete partnerships in clean hydrogen, covering technological cooperation, industrial-scale deployment, and investment opportunities supporting both countries' national strategies, and welcomed the signing on November 15, 2024 of the Memorandum of Understanding between Japan Bank for International Cooperation (JBIC) and the Ministry of Energy Transition and Sustainable Development of the Kingdom of Morocco.

D. Scientific Research, Innovation & Education

1. The Ministers are committed to strengthening collaboration in digital technologies, including artificial intelligence governance, and high-performance computing.

2. The Ministers also stressed the importance of promoting scientific cooperation including through joint research programs, academic exchanges, and partnerships between universities and research institutes. Both Ministers stressed the importance of the swift implementation of the Hyper-Kamiokande project.

3. Minister Bourita expressed that the Kingdom of Morocco is appreciative to Japan for its ongoing programs it offers to Moroccan students and professionals in an array of fields, especially through those implemented by MEXT and African Business Education Initiative for Youth.

4. The Ministers shared interest in working towards the signing a Memorandum of Cooperation between the two ministries to exchange views on regional and international issues, explore the feasibility of training programs in the two countries, as well as conduct triangular cooperation programs with African and Asian countries.

E. Trade, Industrial Development and Investment

1. The Ministers expressed their satisfaction that the number of Japanese companies operating in Morocco is increasing, along with the expansion of employment opportunities they are creating. They encouraged more Japanese investments in Morocco in mutually beneficial sectors.

2. The Ministers welcomed the holding of two Moroccan roadshows in Japan in 2024 and in 2025 to strengthen bilateral relations and explore new opportunities for collaboration for the promotion of trade and investment.

3. The Ministers also welcomed the signing, during the 2024 roadshow in Japan, of the Memorandum of Cooperation between the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry of Japan and the Ministry of Investment, Convergence and Evaluation of Policies of the Kingdom of Morocco. They also welcomed the intention of both Ministries to hold the first meeting of the Monitoring Committee mentioned in the said Memorandum in an appropriate timing.

4. The Ministers shared the view that it would be desirable for stronger ties between industrial ecosystems in both countries to be further promoted, particularly in automotive manufacturing, aerospace components, and high-value industrial production.

5. The Ministers underlined the importance of strengthening supply-chain resilience based on the principles of transparency, diversification, security, sustainability, trustworthiness and reliability. They also underlined the importance of supporting industrial innovation, and technology transfer on voluntary and mutually concurred terms.

6. The Ministers recognized Morocco's strong development in automotive and aerospace industries as an African leader, and expressed their anticipation that Japanese companies will further invest in these areas in Morocco.

7. In this regard, Minister Bourita invited Japanese companies to seize opportunities under the new Investment Charter, especially in strategic and high-potential sectors.

8. Minister Motegi congratulated Morocco for co-hosting the FIFA World Cup 2030 and expressed his best wishes for the success of the event, which could increase investment opportunities in Morocco for Japanese companies.

9. The Ministers welcomed the strong and growing trade relations between the two countries marked by the export of Moroccan citrus fruits to the Japanese market for the first time, in 2025.

F. Joint Committee Meetings

1. The Ministers expressed their determination to continue enhancing exchanges of High-level visits and promoting cooperation in various fields, including through the Joint Committee, which serves as a forum to review results of the past and ongoing cooperation and identify potential areas of future collaboration.

2. The Ministers welcomed the fruitful outcomes of the fifth session of the Joint Committee held in Rabat on January 8, 2020. In this regard, the Ministers welcomed the signing of the Double Taxation Agreement and the Agreement on the Protection and Promotion of Investments.

3. The Ministers expressed their intention to hold the sixth session of the Joint Committee in Tokyo in 2027.

G. Development Cooperation

1. The Ministers highlighted the role of Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) in conducting projects in a wide range of fields in Morocco. Minister Bourita thanked Japan for the different programs that benefit Moroccan public service officials. The Ministers discussed opportunities of triangular cooperation between the Moroccan Agency for International Cooperation (AMCI), JICA and African countries.

2. In this regard, the Ministers welcomed that AMCI and JICA expressed their intention to explore the possibility of signing a Memorandum of Cooperation between the two institutions.

3. The Ministers decided to comprehensively revisit the Exchange of Notes between the two governments concerning the dispatch of volunteers under the Japan Overseas Cooperation Volunteers Programme on September 11th 1967 to adapt it to rapidly changing world.

4. The Ministers also decided to explore the possibility of concluding a comprehensive agreement on technical cooperation between two governments to streamline the procedures for technical cooperation that had been conducted individually until now.

H. Food Security, Agriculture, Fisheries & Water Management

1. The Ministers welcomed the progress in cooperation between the two countries in the field of fisheries through the Agreement on Marine Fisheries between the Government of Japan and the Government of the Kingdom of Morocco signed in 1985, various ongoing projects supported by JICA, including the Project for the Development of Aquaculture for Blue Growth in Morocco, and the Project for the Development of the New Generation Fishing Port at Souiria K'dima, as well as through other multilateral fisheries bodies.

2. The Ministers welcomed the cooperation between the two countries on sustainable use of marine living resources and expressed their intention to continue it in the future at multilateral fora including the Regional Fishery Management Organizations (RFMOs) and the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES).

3. Minister Motegi requested a relaxation of the current procedure on the operation of Japanese fishing vessels in Moroccan waters that requires Moroccan officials' presence on board during fishing. Minister Bourita took note of Minister Motegi's request, knowing that this issue would be discussed during the Annual Fisheries Consultations between Morocco and Japan.

4. The Ministers expressed their intention to expand cooperation in sustainable agriculture, irrigation technologies, value-chain development, aquaculture, and sustainable management of marine living resources, including fight against illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing. Opportunities for collaboration were identified in water-efficiency solutions, desalination, and climate-smart agricultural practices, drawing on technological expertise and local needs.

5. In this regard, the Ministers welcomed the recent signing of the loan for the project for "Agricultural Water Development in the Southeast Area of Gharb Plain".

6. The Ministers encouraged the reinforcement of cooperation in food security. In this context, they welcomed the commitment by the Moroccan and Japanese relevant entities regarding the supply of phosphate fertilizers to Japan based on a strategic and mutually beneficial relationship.

7. Minister Bourita confirmed the participation of the Kingdom of Morocco in the GREENxEXPO 2027 in Yokohama, and Minister Motegi welcomed and expressed appreciation for the commitment.

I. Facilitation of People-to-People Exchanges and Cultural Cooperation

1. The Ministers expressed their expectation toward the progress of discussions on code sharing arrangements between both aeronautical authorities, which will stimulate demand for air travel and lead to direct flight operations in the future.

2. The Ministers underscored the importance of promoting cultural cooperation, including through collaboration between Tokyo National Museum and Morocco's Fondation Nationale des Musées.

J. Parliamentary Cooperation

1. The Ministers recognized the importance of strengthening parliamentary cooperation, and expressed their intention to encourage dialogue, exchange of visits between legislative institutions of the two countries, as well as between members of the parliamentary friendship groups.

K. Other Multilateral Cooperation

1. The Ministers underscored the importance of a free and open international order based on the rule of law, as well as of the respect of sovereignty, territorial integrity, peaceful resolution of disputes, and self-determination.

2. The Ministers shared common values of peace, security and stability and the rule of law. In this regard, they reaffirmed their commitment to supporting international institutions and initiatives aimed at addressing global challenges.

3. The Ministers expressed their intention to reinforce coordination in multilateral forums, through coordination between the Permanent Missions of both countries, and to enhance their mutual support and consultation on multilateral issues including United Nations Security Council reform.

4. The Ministers also shared interest in holding Multilateral Consultations to reinforce coordination between the two countries, as well as within international organizations and multilateral institutions.

5. The Ministers praised each country's efforts which advance African integration, consolidation of ties of cooperation with African countries, as well as consolidating peace, stability and shared prosperity in the region. In this regard, Japan welcomed the Atlantic Initiatives launched by His Majesty the King Mohammed VI, namely the "Atlantic African States Initiatives", the "Africa-Atlantic Gas Pipeline", and the "Initiative for Sahel countries to access the Atlantic Ocean".

6. Minister Motegi expressed his appreciation to Minister Bourita Morocco joining the "Hiroshima AI Process - HAIP Friends Group" and for actively contributing to the discussions at the HAIP Friends Group in-person meeting held in Tokyo in March 2026.