On Friday, Laayoune was the venue for the 5th session of the Morocco-Ivorian Joint Cooperation Commission, co-chaired by Moroccan Foreign Minister Nasser Bourita and Ivorian Foreign Minister Léon Kacou Adom. During a press briefing, Adom reiterated Côte d'Ivoire's support for Morocco's sovereignty over the Sahara. He emphasized that the Moroccan autonomy plan, proposed in 2007, is the «only credible and realistic solution» to the regional dispute. In February 2020, Côte d'Ivoire opened a consulate in Laayoune, a move that Algeria condemned, prompting it to recall its ambassador from Yamoussoukro for consultations. The meeting concluded with a joint communiqué, where Côte d'Ivoire praised the momentum generated by the Atlantic African States Process. This initiative aims to transform the Atlantic African region into a zone of co-emergence and stability, offering significant opportunities for synergy and cooperation in strategic sectors such as the environment, food security, health, energy, logistics, resource pooling, and experience exchange. The two nations also acknowledged the progress of the Morocco-Nigeria West African gas megaproject. They highlighted the enhanced coordination and cooperation efforts, describing the project as a symbol of South-South cooperation. Once completed, it is expected to improve living conditions and bolster regional economic integration. Bourita and Adom commended the advancements in the Cocody Bay rehabilitation project in Abidjan, initiated in 2014 by King Mohammed VI and Ivorian President Alassane Ouattara. This project represents a significant collaboration between the two countries. Earlier, on July 24, 2024, Bourita met Adom in Rabat, further solidifying the diplomatic ties between Morocco and Côte d'Ivoire.
