Labour Friends of Morocco welcomes a new era in UK-Morocco relations
Blog post by Councillor Aicha Less, Director of Labour Friends of Morocco and Deputy Leader of Westminster Council
The UK Government and the Kingdom of Morocco have this week taken the bold and historic step forward by signing a new joint communiqué, marking a new era of cooperation and mutual growth. At its heart, this partnership reflects the shared values and strategic interests that unite the two nations - ranging from trade and sustainability to regional security and cultural exchange.
Economic growth is central to the partnership, with trade between the UK and Morocco reaching a record £4.2 billion in 2024. The communiqué outlines clear ambitions to build on this momentum, offering new opportunities for UK businesses to play a key role in Morocco’s infrastructure and development projects - especially ahead of Morocco’s preparations for the 2030 FIFA World Cup,a transformative milestone for the region.
Crucially, as part of this new partnership, the UK government has rightly recognised Morocco’s Autonomy Plan as “the most credible, viable, and pragmatic basis for a mutually-agreed and lasting solution to the Western Sahara dispute”. This position, which aligns the UK with key UN Security Council allies such as the United States and France, is a principled and forward-looking stance that supports long-term regional stability and bolsters security across North and West Africa.
Equally exciting is the deepened commitment to sustainability and renewable energy. Morocco’s global leadership in solar, wind, and hydrogen technologies offers a compelling avenue for enhanced cooperation with the UK on clean energy transitions. Both nations are aligned in their ambition to combat climate change and promote energy security through innovation and investment. This growing green partnership not only supports shared climate goals, but also positions Morocco and the UK as global actors in shaping a sustainable future.Beyond the economy and energy, the partnership also embraces educational and cultural exchange. Strengthening people-to-people connections is a priority, with both governments committed to expanding academic collaboration and cultural understanding. These initiatives enrich societies, deepen mutual respect, and ensure that the partnership has a lasting legacy beyond political agreements.
Key to reinforcing support for strong UK-Morocco ties has been Labour Friends of Morocco, a parliamentary group established to nurture and expand ties between the two nations. Chaired by my good friend, Labour MP for Kensington and Bayswater Joe Powell, with whom I collaborate extensively in my role as Director for the organisation, the group is a dynamic force within Westminster.
It works to foster dialogue, create opportunities for cooperation, and support the Moroccan community in the UK. Since its formation earlier this year, the Group called for the need to enhance UK-Morocco relations in its manifesto, by fostering enduring partnerships grounded in shared values, mutual respect, and meaningful collaboration. I am therefore delighted to see this historic dialogue recognise our calls for a truly strategic partnership.
I very much look forward to working closely with both governments to ensure that the relationship between the Labour Government and Morocco continues to endure.
