Rabat is hosting a major international gathering that brings together the four Atlantic continents, with the aim of renewing the understanding of dynamics across both shores of the Atlantic and highlighting the growing strategic role of the South Atlantic in global economic and geopolitical debates.
Over the past two days, the Policy Center for the New South has convened discussions and workshops at the Mohammed VI Polytechnic University campus in Rabat as part of the 14th edition of its annual international conference, the Atlantic Dialogues. Held under the High Patronage of His Majesty King Mohammed VI, this edition builds on the 2024 format, which expanded the initiative into a multidisciplinary platform for dialogue and exchange.
The 14th edition of the Atlantic Dialogues focuses on analyzing the multiple crises currently shaping the world, with the objective of proposing reform pathways aligned with contemporary realities. The conference also addresses a range of other strategic themes, providing a space that brings diverse perspectives closer together. In this context, former U.S. Ambassador Peter Pham, a senior fellow at the Atlantic Council, described Morocco as a pivotal link between continents and a platform that continues to strengthen its international presence, in line with the vision of His Majesty King Mohammed VI. He emphasized that the Atlantic Dialogues constitute an open space and a forum for constructive and substantive debate.
The conference program features nine plenary sessions covering a wide array of topics, alongside twenty workshops held in small-group formats. According to Brazilian international relations researcher Fabio de Cruz, this structure offers an appropriate framework for in-depth discussions on Atlantic transformations and the new challenges facing international cooperation. Participants also highlighted the role of Moroccan diplomacy in developing innovative mechanisms serving the continent, including the Atlantic Initiative and other forward-looking initiatives.
The 14th edition of the Atlantic Dialogues addresses issues of critical importance, including North–South relations, the advancement of multilateralism, and the impact of regional blocs. These discussions are enriched by contributions from prominent international figures, including former heads of state, ministers, diplomats, researchers, and experts from think tanks and the private sector. Together, they aim to deepen reflection on the transformations shaping the Atlantic space and to foster a shared vision for enhanced cooperation across the region.
