Moroccan Foreign Minister: Lasting peace in the region is contingent on the establishment of an independent Palestinian state
New York, 23 Sep (KUNA) -- Moroccan Foreign Minister Nasser Bourita affirmed that establishing lasting peace in the region is contingent upon the establishment of an independent, sovereign, and viable Palestinian state on the borders of June 4, 1967, with East Jerusalem as its capital, living in security and peace.
He made these remarks in a speech delivered last Tuesday evening during the high-level general debate of the 81st session of the United Nations General Assembly.
Bourita expressed his country's concern over developments in the West Bank, including the passage of laws affecting the legal status of Palestinian territories and opening the door for their seizure to expand settlements, alongside what he described as systematic violence by settlers against Palestinians.
He noted that King Mohammed VI of Morocco, in his capacity as President of the Al-Quds Committee, continues to work to preserve the historical, cultural, and spiritual identity of the Holy City, its legal status, and to improve the living conditions of Jerusalem's residents.
Bourita added that Morocco has decided to participate in the international stabilization force in Gaza and to contribute to establishing a climate of peace and security in the region through humanitarian and security initiatives, including training the Palestinian police, deploying high-ranking military officers to the internal security forces, and setting up a field hospital.
In this context, the Moroccan minister emphasized the need for the international community to prioritize three key areas: confronting non-state armed groups as a threat to international security and stability; addressing climate change and its impacts; and tackling regional challenges, particularly in the Middle East and Africa.
He warned that the role of non-state armed groups threatening the security and stability of states has grown, with these groups now seeking to control maritime passages and straits, threaten freedom of navigation, and target facilities in several countries.
He added that more than one million people live in areas controlled by armed groups or experiencing disputes over control, calling for the imposition of deterrent sanctions on these groups and their sponsors, and holding accountable anyone who provides them with support, financing, or weapons.
Regarding climate change, Bourita affirmed that peace and development cannot be maintained without effectively addressing this challenge, noting that Morocco remains one of the countries most vulnerable to the impacts of climate change despite its limited contribution to greenhouse gas emissions.
In this regard, he outlined the proactive policy adopted by King Mohammed VI, which includes building dams, connecting water basins, desalinating seawater, reusing treated wastewater, and rationalizing the management of water resources.
Concerning the Moroccan Sahara, Bourita referred to United Nations Security Council Resolution 2797 of 2025, which called on the parties to enter into unconditional negotiations based on Morocco's autonomy proposal, with the aim of reaching a final political solution acceptable to the parties that guarantees the self-determination of the people of the Moroccan Sahara. (End)
