Nasser Bourita highlights King Mohammed VI's leadership in Washington

The Minister of Foreign Affairs, African Cooperation, and Moroccans Abroad, Nasser Bourita, highlighted at an international meeting on critical minerals organized in Washington by US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, the leadership of King Mohammed VI in the development and modernization of Morocco, which involves a strategic commitment to industrialization and "offers unparalleled geostrategic relevance, attractive visibility, and responsible partnership" in the field of critical minerals, particularly thanks to its geographical position, resources, and infrastructure, as well as its political reliability and stability.

Marco Rubio affirmed that Morocco plays a “key role” in efforts to secure and diversify global supply chains for critical minerals".

In addition, on the sidelines of this meeting, the minister signed a memorandum of understanding with the United States on cooperation in the field of critical minerals and rare earths.

In his speech at the international meeting, Bourita stressed that today's world does not lack minerals or rare earths. “What it lacks is responsible development, a language of trust between nations, transparent frameworks in which collaboration replaces dependence, and value chains that distribute prosperity rather than concentrate risks.” He called for a “pact of loyalty between producers, processors, and users, based not on ideology, but on strategic respect and sovereign balance.”

Bourita asserted that “Africa should be at the center of the pact between producers, processors, and users” and recalled that King Mohammed VI had called for this in his royal message to participants in the 2025 edition of the Ibrahim Governance Weekend Forum, stating that “with 40% of the world's raw material reserves and 30% of critical minerals, as well as considerable potential in mining, energy, water, agricultural, and biological resources, Africa can no longer be content with exporting its raw materials.”

The Moroccan minister called for “investment in infrastructure, skills, and governance in Africa to transform its natural wealth into sustainable economic growth, job creation, and long-term prosperity for its populations,” while denouncing that “current mining globalization is neither free, nor equitable, nor resilient,” the minister emphasized, adding that this globalization has “transformed what should be a common basis for global progress into an instrument of unilateral pressure. This is not simply a supply chain issue, but a structural imbalance.”

“If this century is to be marked by critical minerals, let it also be marked by reliable partnerships, mutual respect, and shared stability,” Bourita concluded.

Morocco plays a “key role” in efforts to secure and diversify global supply chains for critical minerals.

Morocco plays a “key role” in efforts to secure and diversify global supply chains for critical minerals, U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio affirmed Wednesday in Washington.

Speaking at a press conference on the sidelines of a ministerial meeting on critical minerals, held at the U.S. State Department headquarters, Mr. Rubio explained that Morocco has a “key role to play because of its mineral deposits, but also because of the Kingdom’s willingness to invest in processing and its cooperation in agreeing to participate in this global initiative.” “This is important for Morocco, which can play a leading role, as it has significant mineral reserves that it can leverage to develop its economy,” continued the US Secretary of State, responding to a question from MAP.

Mr. Rubio stated that, like other countries around the world, the Kingdom has “an interest in having a reliable and diversified global supply of processed, finished, and refined materials that can be used profitably to foster its economic development.”

“Morocco can therefore play a key role in this regard, and we are very pleased that it is here today, at the table with us,” said the US Secretary of State.

Organized by U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio, the objective of this international ministerial meeting on critical minerals was to exchange views on solutions to secure and diversify critical mineral supply chains. The opening session was attended by U.S. Vice President JD Vance.

Discussions focused on investments in critical minerals and minimum price mechanisms. In addition, participants launched the “Forum on Geostrategic Engagement in the Minerals and Resources Sector.”

This meeting brought together foreign ministers and senior officials from more than 50 countries, including Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Jordan, Bahrain, Oman, France, Belgium, Germany, the United Kingdom, Italy, Norway, Sweden, India, Japan, the Republic of Korea, Singapore, Argentina, Brazil, Mexico, and Australia.