Bagbin highlights significance of fostering regional cooperation and stability

H. E. Mr. Rachid Talbi el Alami, Speaker of the House of Representatives of Morocco,

H. E. Mr. Mohamed Ould Errachid, President of the House of Councillors,

H. E. Mr. Nasser Bourita, Minister of Foreign Affairs, African Cooperation and Moroccan Expatriates,

Excellences colleague Speakers and Presidents of Parliaments of the member states of the Atlantic African States Process,

Distinguished invited guests,

Ladies and gentlemen.

Permit me to start by expressing my deepest appreciation to my brother the Speaker of the House of Representatives of the Kingdom of Morocco for the kind invitation to participate in this important meeting of Speakers of Parliaments of Atlantic African countries. I bring you fraternal greetings from the President of Ghana, H. E. John Dramani Mahama and the Parliament and people of Ghana. Your Excellency, I further wish to convey my President’s regards and highest consideration through you to His Majesty King Mohamed VI, whose vision of peace, stability and mutual prosperity in the African Atlantic zone led to the launch of the African Atlantic States Process in June 2022.

The theme of this meeting, “Promoting a Parliamentary Network for a Stable, Integrated, and Prosperous Atlantic Africa” reflects the positive and forward-looking spirit of the Rabat Declaration I of June 2022, which highlighted the commitment of Atlantic African countries to strengthen ties of cooperation and integration, and to promote and consolidate peace, stability and shared prosperity in the region.

Excellences, I also recall the outcomes of the 2nd and 3rd Ministerial meetings, which resulted in the adoption of the Rabat Declaration II and a Program of Action as a roadmap for the achievement of the AASP’s three strategic priorities:

(a) political and security dialogue on the fight against terrorism, transnational organized crime, maritime piracy and illegal migration,

(b) blue economy, maritime connectivity and energy, and

(c) sustainable development and the protection and conservation of the marine environment.

Let me also take this opportunity to congratulate the leadership and members of the Permanent Secretariat of the AASP, the Focal Points and the three Thematic Groups for their collective work to formulate an actionable pathway for the implementation of the strategic priorities of AASP. Ghana also welcomes the creation of the Forum of Justice Ministers, whose meeting here in Rabat in April last year laid the foundation for multi-sectoral partnerships towards the achievement of the goals of this important initiative.

Distinguished colleagues, in this era of rapid globalization and interconnectedness, the significance of fostering regional cooperation and stability cannot be overstated. Atlantic Africa is a region rich in cultural diversity and economic potential. Consequently, the creation of a parliamentary network provides a critical component of the AASP’s strategy for the realisation of its vision.

This vision of a stable, integrated, and prosperous Atlantic Africa requires a robust parliamentary network that fosters collaboration, dialogue, and shared goals, and serves as a bedrock for building sustainable development, ensuring political stability, and harnessing the collective potential of Atlantic Africa.

?Parliaments serve as the bedrock of democratic governance, where policies are debated, laws are enacted, and oversight is exercised over the implementation of national policies and programmes. Consequently, this parliamentary network presents an excellent opportunity for us and our Parliaments to contribute to the realisation of the goals of AASP, through open dialogue and collaboration, exchange of ideas and best practices, formulation of policy options, incorporation into our national laws of the resolutions, decisions and policies of the AASP, and fostering mutual understanding.

Through these activities, our network has a great potential to make significant contribution to His Majesty King Mohamed VI’s vision of transforming the African Atlantic zone into an area of human communication, economic integration, and continental and international visibility.

Excellences , political stability and strong democratic institutions are essential cornerstones of economic growth, long-term collective socio-economic development and prosperity. Our network must therefore engage in constructive dialogue, share best practices, and address common challenges to strengthen democratic institutions and to consolidate good, smart governance.

Through these efforts, we can promote transparency, accountability, and the rule of law, which are essential for reducing political unrest and fostering a stable political environment for economic transformation.

Regional integration is a key driver of economic growth and political stability. Through legislative cooperation and alignment, our countries can work towards harmonizing policies, regulations, and standards, thereby facilitating trade, investment, and movement of people. Our integration is vital for unlocking the economic potential of the region, creating larger markets, and attracting foreign investments. By working together, we can advocate for policies that promote trade, investment, and infrastructure development. This collaborative approach will pave the way for a more integrated Atlantic Africa, where resources are optimally utilized, and economic opportunities are accessible to all.

Dear colleagues, the economic landscape of Atlantic Africa is diverse and abundant in resources. However, to transform this potential into tangible prosperity, coordinated efforts are required. Our network needs to spearhead initiatives aimed at economic reforms, infrastructure development, and regional trade agreements. By advocating for policies that promote inclusive growth and sustainable development, we can help bridge economic disparities and elevate the living standards of our peoples.

Distinguished colleagues, at this juncture. I wish to emphasize Ghana’s strong support for the evolution of this gathering into the Parliamentary Forum of the AASP. The overriding objective of the Forum must be, to provide support in the national political landscape and in the performance of our parliamentary functions, towards the realisation of the goals of AASP.

To that end, it is my firm belief that the Conference of Speakers and Presidents of African Legislatures (CoSPAL), of which I happen to be the President, can play an important role in galvanising commitment and support among its members who are also part of the Atlantic African States Process.

I intend to work with vigour towards that goal. Morocco remains a committed member of CoSPAL, and I wish to take this opportunity to express my warmest appreciation to Your Excellency for Morocco’s active participation in the 2nd General Assembly of CoSPAL that was held in Accra, Ghana in October last year. I further wish to thank you on behalf of CoSPAL for your country’s offer to host the next General Assembly, and to assure you that the offer remains under serious consideration.

My dear Colleagues, collaborative policymaking and their incorporation into our national legal frameworks are crucial for achieving the strategic priority of AASP that aims to collectively address transnational challenges such as terrorism, organized crime, maritime piracy, illegal migration, climate change, and health pandemics. Our Forum must therefore aim to provide a platform for joint policy formulation and implementation, ensuring that we can respond effectively to these and other transnational issues, and develop cohesive strategies that benefit the entire region.

The foundation for the success of our Forum may depend on a number of factors. The first is the need for a Charter developed through a consultative process involving all member countries, to ensure buy-in and commitment. A charter that outlines the vision, mission, and objectives of the Forum, defines the roles and responsibilities of member countries, and enshrines principles of inclusivity, mutual respect, cooperation and commitment to regional development.

Secondly, we must formulate an operational framework that outlines the Forum’s structure, and operational guidelines, and which provides a mechanism to coordinate the activities of the Forum, facilitate communication, organize meetings, provide administrative support, monitor progress, evaluate outcomes, and report to member countries.

Thirdly, to ensure the effectiveness of the Forum, it is crucial to identify and engage key stakeholders. A multi-stakeholder approach will bring diverse perspectives to the table and enhance the legitimacy of our work. Building partnerships with governments, regional and international organizations, civil society, the media, educational institutions and the private sector will enhance public awareness and support, facilitate access to technical expertise and advocacy platforms, foster a sense of ownership and participation among the citizens of Atlantic Africa and enhance the Forum’s impact and reach.

Developing coordinated strategies and policies to ensure regional peace, security and economic prosperity is a key goal for Atlantic Africa.

The Parliamentary Forum must therefore advocate for policies that promote constructive engagement for the prevention and peaceful resolution of regional conflicts. We should also foster regional economic growth, tourism, job creation, and poverty reduction, by focusing on areas such as trade facilitation, investment promotion, and infrastructure development, thereby creating a conducive environment for economic progress.

My dear colleagues, I am convinced that the rich cultural diversity of Atlantic Africa is one of our greatest assets. We would therefore need to promote social and cultural exchange through activities that celebrate the region’s heritage, that foster a sense of unity and shared identity and strengthen the bonds between our nations and peoples.

In striving to achieve the objectives of this Forum, it is my hope that political differences and competing national interests will not be allowed to undermine our effectiveness. A collaborative and inclusive approach based on consensus, mutual respect and cooperation, as well as regular dialogue and mediation will be crucial to resolve differences of opinion and build trust in the pursuit of our collective objectives.

Your Excellency, the creation of a stable, integrated, and prosperous Atlantic Africa is a visionary initiative that holds immense promise for the region. The contribution of our parliamentary network to this initiative hinges on the commitment and active participation of all member countries. We in Ghana can assure you of our commitment to this initiative and our determination to see it succeed. Let us seize this opportunity to build bridges, create partnerships, and work together towards the common goal of peace, prosperity, and unity in our shared zone.

In conclusion, I wish to emphasize that by fostering collaboration, promoting good governance, fostering dialogue to enhance regional peace and security, supporting collective socio-economic development policies through legislative action and promoting regional integration, this Forum can help create the conducive conditions to consolidate peace, stability, sustainable development and shared prosperity in the region.

It is in our collective interest to embrace this initiative with enthusiasm and dedication. Together, we can build a stable, integrated, and prosperous Atlantic Africa that stands as a beacon of hope and progress on the global stage.

I thank you for your kind attention and wish this meeting a successful outcome.