The coastal town of Trouville-sur-Mer in northern France is set to host the 10th edition of its Geopolitical Encounters this Friday, spotlighting the theme «Africa and France» with Morocco as the guest of honor. This marks the first time a nation is at the center of this event, which has become a key gathering for researchers, international affairs enthusiasts, and the public. The focus on Morocco underscores its pivotal role in international diplomacy and the dialogue between Europe and Africa, particularly between Paris and the continent, as noted by the event's organizers. Special attention will be given to initiatives spearheaded by King Mohammed VI aimed at strengthening ties with Africa. «Morocco's prominent presence this year is due to several factors: it is an African and Mediterranean country with historical, cultural, and geographical ties to France», explained Frédéric Encel, the founder of the Geopolitical Encounters, in a statement to MAP. He further remarked that Morocco «is poised to be a significant power not only in North and West Africa but potentially beyond». During the three-day event, experts, diplomats, academics, and historians will discuss the state of French-African cooperation and the future of Paris's relations with the continent. Key topics include «Women of Africa, Women of France», «Thinking War and Peace in the Africas», «Culture, Memory, and Shared Francophonie», and «Terrorism, a Common Scourge.» The 2025 edition will feature the awarding of the Geopolitical Work Prize by the publishing house PUF, alongside an art exhibition and an inaugural lecture leading into the scheduled debates. Initiated in 2016 by geopolitologist and essayist Frédéric Encel, this annual event seeks to foster public dialogue and the exchange of ideas on pressing global issues.
