This international event, which kicked off with addresses from the minister delegate to the Head of Government in charge of National Defense Administration, the minister of Equipment and Water, the minister of Higher Education, Scientific Research and Innovation, minister of Transport and Logistics, the Secretary of State in charge of Fisheries, and the Rear Admiral, Inspector of the Royal Navy, is attended by representatives by African member states of the (EAtHC), the Director of the International Hydrographic Organization (IHO), the Director of the Norwegian Regional Electronic Chart Distribution Center, and representatives from the French Navy’s Hydrographic and Oceanographic Service also participated, according to a statement from the FAR General Staff.

Several Moroccan departments and public institutions involved in hydrography were also involved in the seminar, including the National Coordination Committee for Hydrography, Oceanography, and Marine Cartography (CNCHOC), the National Office of Hydrocarbons and Mines, and the Policy Center for the New South.

The seminar aims to strengthen cooperation between African hydrographic services by establishing a genuine platform for dialogue and exchange of experiences, highlighting the strategic role of hydrographic and oceanographic information in maritime safety, the development of the blue economy, and the sustainable management of marine resources. 

This event also provides an opportunity to discuss the needs of African countries in terms of capacity building and skills transfer.

The seminar will focus on issues related to African cooperation in the fields of hydrography, oceanography, and marine cartography. Discussions will focus on sharing national experiences, illustrated by examples from the Kingdom of Morocco and other partner countries, as well as the presentation of major projects led by Morocco, such as the Royal Atlantic Initiative and the Nigeria-Morocco gas pipeline project. 

The program also includes an informational visit aboard the Royal Navy’s hydro-oceanographic vessel “Dar Al Beida” to showcase the ship’s latest-generation equipment and measuring instruments, the same source concludes.