In Washington, Nasser Bourita outlined Morocco’s approach to the governance of critical minerals, as part of the strategic vision of His Majesty King Mohammed VI in this field.
On the occasion of the ministerial meeting on critical minerals, held on Wednesday, February 4, in Washington and organized by U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio, the Minister of Foreign Affairs, African Cooperation and Moroccan Expatriates, Nasser Bourita, highlighted Morocco’s distinctive role in securing and diversifying strategic supply chains.
Bringing together foreign ministers and senior officials from more than fifty countries, this high-level meeting provided an opportunity to exchange views on investments in critical minerals, floor price mechanisms, and the need for more balanced multilateral frameworks.
Following the opening session, which was marked by the participation of U.S. Vice President JD Vance, participants also launched the Forum on Geostrategic Engagement in the Minerals and Resources Sector.
Taking the floor, Nasser Bourita stressed that “under the leadership of His Majesty King Mohammed VI, the Kingdom of Morocco offers unparalleled geostrategic relevance, attractive visibility, and a responsible partnership.” This assertion is grounded in solid fundamentals: a strategic geographic position, advanced logistics and industrial infrastructure, natural resources, as well as the Kingdom’s political stability and institutional reliability.
The Minister emphasized that the current global challenge does not lie in resource scarcity. “Today’s world does not lack minerals or rare earths. What it lacks is responsible development, a language of trust among nations, and transparent frameworks in which partnership replaces dependence,” he stated, calling for more balanced value chains that distribute prosperity rather than concentrate risk.
From this perspective, Nasser Bourita advocated for a genuine “pact of loyalty” between producers, processors, and users, based on strategic respect and sovereign balance. This vision is in line with the Kingdom’s consistent stance: promoting sustainable partnerships, far removed from logics of domination or unilateral pressure.
Africa, he recalled, must be placed at the heart of this global pact. Referring to the Royal Message addressed to participants in the Ibrahim Governance Weekend Forum 2025, the Minister underscored that despite holding 40% of the world’s raw material reserves and 30% of critical minerals, the continent can no longer be content with exporting raw resources.
The Royal call to invest in infrastructure, skills, and governance aims to transform these resources into sustainable growth, jobs, and prosperity for African populations.
Nasser Bourita also warned against current imbalances, considering that mining globalization “is neither free, nor fair, nor resilient,” and that it has at times turned a lever for progress into an instrument of pressure. For Morocco, the response lies in reliable, respectful partnerships that foster shared stability.
On the sidelines of this meeting, the Moroccan Minister signed a memorandum of understanding with the United States on cooperation in the field of critical minerals and rare earths. An act that once again illustrates the Kingdom’s credibility on the international stage and the tangible scope of the strategic vision carried by His Majesty King Mohammed VI.
