On this occasion, Mr. Nasser Bourita reiterated the kingdom's firm and resolute support, in accordance with the Very High Royal Instructions, to the various initiatives carried out by the UN Secretary General since 2017, in particular the UN Action for Peacekeeping "A4P", aimed at enabling the UN to be in tune with the multidimensional challenges facing peacekeeping operations today.

Given the geopolitical changes in the world, the UN Peacekeeping Operations which are celebrating their 75th anniversary require a new holistic and operational approach in line with the reality on the ground and an inclusive approach involving all stakeholders, to promote realistic and lasting political solutions, he said, On this occasion, the minister expressed the Kingdom's full support for the Summit of the Future scheduled for the 79th session of the UN General Assembly in 2024, with the hope that it will lead to a new vision with precise objectives for the strengthening of multilateralism and the global review of the peacekeeping architecture.

He also recalled Morocco’s commitments following the launch of its "Women, Peace and Security" Action Plan, as well as the initiatives it has carried out within the United Nations, particularly in the context of the fight against hate speech and misinformation against UN peacekeepers.

Mr. Lacroix, on his first official visit to Morocco, expressed his sincere thanks to the Kingdom for its long-standing commitment and its long contribution to UN peacekeeping operations since its independence.

The UN diplomat praised the tireless efforts made by the Royal Armed Forces, in accordance with the Very High Instructions of HM King Mohammed VI, serving under the banner of the United Nations, as part of the peacekeeping missions they carry out with self-sacrifice, dedication and commitment, notably in various regions in Africa.

He also welcomed Morocco's role, highly appreciated by the United Nations, in all negotiation processes concerning the reform of the peacekeeping architecture initiated by UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres.

"Morocco's contribution and support to peacekeeping operations is key for us," Lacroix told the press following these talks, noting that the Kingdom is one of the “strongest" partners of peacekeeping, in particular for its constant contribution and support to the initiatives aimed at promoting peacekeeping and offering responses adapted to evolving crises.

Morocco's "exceptional" contribution to peacekeeping operations has a price, added the UN official who paid tribute, during his talks with Bourita, to the 60 Moroccans who made the supreme sacrifice while serving in UN missions.

“We look to the future with Morocco,” he said, highlighting the current challenges facing the UN in its peacekeeping operations.

In this respect, Lacroix affirmed that "it is up to us together to respond to these challenges", adding that he is very confident that the Moroccan contribution to these efforts will be extremely important and decisive.

Morocco is among the top ten countries in the world that contribute to UN peacekeeping operations. It currently deploys 1,724 peacekeepers in the Central African Republic, the Democratic Republic of Congo and South Sudan.

The Kingdom has for many years chaired the Non-Aligned Movement coordination group on UN peacekeeping in New York. It also initiated the creation of a group of like-minded States on the fight against hate speech and misinformation against peacekeepers.

The meeting was attended by UN Military Advisor, General Birame Diop, and Civilian Advisor to the UN Secretary-General, Gueladio Ba, as well as Director of the United Nations and International Organizations at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, African Cooperation and Moroccan Expatriates, Redouane Houssaini.