Liverpool: The gathering, attended by Morocco’s Ambassador to the UK Hakim Hajoui and ambassadors from allied and friendly nations, brought together prominent figures who praised Morocco’s development progress under the leadership of His Majesty King Mohammed VI.
According to Agence Marocaine De Presse, speakers stressed that Morocco has built a resilient development model on solid foundations, positioning the Kingdom as a trusted partner and a driver of stability and growth both regionally and across Africa.
In his remarks, UK Prime Minister’s Trade Envoy to Morocco and West Africa, Ben Coleman, described 2025 as “a historic moment” in relations between the two kingdoms, bound by more than 800 years of diplomatic ties, with the fifth session of the bilateral strategic dialogue held in Rabat last June. According to him, this milestone “reflects the deepening of our bilateral partnership and our shared strategic vision.”
Coleman, who was part of the UK delegation led by then-Foreign Secretary David Lammy, said he found in Morocco “a country full of ambition and dynamism, determined to strengthen ties with the United Kingdom.” He welcomed Morocco’s approach of viewing the UK not only as a trade partner but also as a long-term ally.
Outlining areas of collaboration, he pointed to Morocco’s major infrastructure projects and stressed that the 2030 FIFA World Cup, co-hosted by Morocco, Spain, and Portugal, will serve as a catalyst for expanding the partnership. “Morocco is also a vital partner within the UK’s new global trade strategy, serving not only as a key market but also as a gateway to Africa,” Coleman said. He emphasized that Morocco embodies exactly what this strategy seeks: a stable economy, strategic geographic location, strong regional links, and a vision for inclusive, sustainable growth.
On sustainable development, Morocco is a continental leader, with potential in solar, wind, and hydrogen energy, alongside a growing digital economy, a dynamic fintech ecosystem, and promising opportunities in health, education, and technology. “We see Morocco as an indispensable partner. We are entering a new era of modern, resilient, and forward-looking cooperation, built on shared values and shared prosperity,” Coleman added.
Echoing him, Labour MP Joe Powell, chair of Labour Friends of Morocco and vice-chair of the All-Party Parliamentary Group on Morocco, noted that Morocco is not only a fast-growing economy but also a key partner in multiple fields. “Recently, we have seen a remarkable deepening of relations between our two countries,” Powell said, noting that 2025 marked an important turning point, opening new opportunities in renewable energy, infrastructure, education, and defense.
He also recalled the UK’s decision, announced during Lammy’s June visit to Morocco, to fully support Morocco’s autonomy plan for the Sahara, describing it as the most credible, viable, and pragmatic solution to the conflict over Morocco’s territorial integrity. Powell praised the Moroccan community in the UK for its contributions to the country’s economic, cultural, and social life, announcing the launch of a forum to strengthen the community’s role in deepening bilateral ties.
Former UK Ambassador to Morocco Thomas Reilly emphasized that relations between London and Rabat are “stronger than ever” following agreements signed in 2025, which he said provide “tremendous investment opportunities across a range of sectors.” He pointed out that trade and tourism between the two countries have been on an upward trend and are expected to grow further. “Investing in Morocco offers vast growth prospects, not only within the Kingdom but also as a springboard to Africa,” the former diplomat said.
Reilly underscored Morocco’s political and economic stability and its considerable growth potential compared to other countries in the region. He hailed Morocco’s ongoing transformation under King Mohammed VI’s leadership and highlighted the 2030 World Cup as an opportunity to further expand cooperation with the UK across multiple sectors. “The time has come to redouble our efforts to build on 800 years of diplomatic relations and take them to the next level,” he said, stressing Morocco’s crucial role as a regional stabilizing force.
The event, which brought together business leaders, policymakers, and academics, also highlighted Morocco’s growing stature as a respected and influential global player that leverages its economic strength for regional prosperity, as illustrated by the Royal Atlantic Initiative. Speakers stressed the significance of holding such a high-level meeting alongside the Labour Party conference, providing MPs, decision-makers, and activists with a closer look at Morocco’s progress and the strengthening of UK-Morocco ties.
A Moroccan parliamentary delegation, attending the Labour conference, also joined the meeting, which was organized by the Labour Middle East Council and Labour Friends of Morocco in collaboration with Morocco’s Embassy in London. This initiative follows the creation of Labour Friends of Morocco last year, aimed at deepening ties between the Kingdom and the Labour Party and fostering long-term partnerships based on shared values and meaningful cooperation.
This landmark seminar, held at the heart of the Labour Party’s annual conference, marked a strong signal of Morocco’s presence and came just months after the fifth session of the UK-Morocco Strategic Dialogue in Rabat.