Vietnam-Morocco Cooperation in Green Energy and Halal Trade

Diversifying Traditional Industries: Opportunities for Mutual Growth: Recognizing the importance of established sectors to their respective economies, Vietnam and Morocco are also exploring avenues for cooperation in traditional industries. These include:

• 1. Metallurgy: Sharing expertise and exploring joint ventures in metal processing and manufacturing.
  2. Fertilizers: Collaborating on the production and trade of fertilizers, potentially leveraging Morocco’s significant phosphate reserves.
  3. Textiles, Garments, and Footwear: Exploring opportunities for joint production, marketing, and export in these established industries.
  4. Aviation: Examining possibilities for cooperation in areas such as aircraft maintenance, training, and potentially even joint ventures in aviation-related services.

Green Solutions for a Sustainable Future

Climate change and the urgent need for energy security represent significant global challenges that require international cooperation and innovative solutions. Vietnam and Morocco recognize the immense value of working together to address these critical issues and build a more sustainable future for their citizens and the planet. With both nations having established ambitious sustainable development goals aligned with the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), they see significant opportunities for collaboration in cutting-edge fields such as:

• Green Hydrogen: Fueling a Clean Energy Transition: Green hydrogen, produced using renewable energy sources, offers a promising clean-burning fuel source and a viable alternative to traditional fossil fuels. Vietnam and Morocco can leverage their respective strengths and resources to pursue joint research and development efforts in green hydrogen production, storage, and utilization. This collaboration can accelerate the adoption of this critical technology in both countries and contribute to the global transition towards a cleaner energy future.
• Harnessing the Power of the Wind: Offshore Wind Energy Development: Harnessing the abundant power of the wind, particularly through offshore wind farms, offers a clean, sustainable, and increasingly cost-competitive source of renewable energy. Vietnam and Morocco can benefit significantly from sharing expertise, exchanging best practices, and collaborating on joint offshore wind energy projects. This collaboration can contribute to diversifying their energy mix, reducing reliance on fossil fuels, and promoting sustainable economic growth.
• Effective Carbon Management and Climate Change Mitigation: Implementing effective carbon capture, utilization, and storage (CCUS) strategies is crucial in the global fight against climate change. Vietnam and Morocco can learn valuable lessons from each other’s experiences, share technological advancements, and develop innovative solutions for carbon management and climate change mitigation. This collaboration can contribute to reducing greenhouse gas emissions and promoting a more sustainable and climate-resilient future.

Historical Ties and People-to-People Connections

The current surge in Vietnam-Morocco cooperation is not a recent phenomenon; it is built on a foundation of deep-rooted historical ties and enduring people-to-people connections. This shared history adds a unique dimension to their current partnership, fostering a sense of mutual understanding and respect. Between 1947 and 1954, during the First Indochina War, over 60,000 Moroccan soldiers served in Indochina (which included Vietnam) under French colonial rule. This shared historical experience, though complex, created a unique link between the two nations.

Following the armistice in 1954, approximately 150 Moroccan soldiers chose to remain in Vietnam, integrating into local communities, forming families, and establishing enduring connections that persist to this day. In the Ba Vi district, located approximately 50 kilometers from Hanoi, a thriving farming village stands as a powerful testament to their legacy. This village features a distinctive Moorish-inspired gateway, a tangible symbol of their cultural heritage and their integration into Vietnamese society.

This historical connection is not a one-way street. In a remarkable act of humanitarianism and recognition of these shared historical ties, in 1972, King Hassan II of Morocco extended a welcoming hand to seven Vietnamese families – wives and children of former French soldiers who had settled in Vietnam after the war. These families were granted land and provided with support in Douar Sfari, a suburb of Kenitra City, Morocco, allowing them to rebuild their lives in a new home. In November 2022, this unique and poignant historical bond was further commemorated with the construction of a traditional Vietnamese village gate in Douar Sfari.

This gate, featuring both the Vietnamese and Moroccan flags, stands as a powerful and enduring symbol of the Vietnamese presence in Morocco and the deep-rooted connections between the two nations. The gate was built with traditional Vietnamese tiles and decorative elements brought directly from Vietnam, further emphasizing the cultural exchange and mutual respect between the two communities.

The Vital Role of the Vietnam-Morocco Friendship Association

The establishment of the Vietnam-Morocco Friendship Association on December 13, 2021, under the proactive leadership of Phan Tam, Vietnam’s Deputy Minister of Information and Communications, has played a crucial role in further institutionalizing and strengthening the bilateral relationship between the two countries. This association, which proudly operates as the 117th member organization of the Vietnam Union of Friendship Organizations, serves as a vital platform for promoting cultural exchange, fostering people-to-people connections, and facilitating dialogue and understanding between the two cultures. The association organizes various cultural events, exchange programs, and educational initiatives aimed at strengthening mutual understanding and promoting closer ties between the Vietnamese and Moroccan people.

Frameworks for Cooperation

A significant milestone in formalizing and guiding Vietnam-Morocco cooperation was the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on March 28, 2019. This important document provides a comprehensive framework for collaboration between the two nations, with a particular focus on crucial areas such as environment and sustainable development. The MoU outlines specific areas of cooperation, including:

1. Environmental Protection: Joint efforts to address environmental challenges, such as climate change, biodiversity conservation, and sustainable resource management.
2. Sustainable Development: Collaboration on projects and initiatives that promote sustainable economic growth, social development, and environmental sustainability.
3. Renewable Energy: Exploring opportunities for cooperation in the development and deployment of renewable energy technologies.
4. Capacity Building: Sharing expertise and providing technical assistance to support sustainable development initiatives in both countries.

This MoU serves as a solid foundation for ongoing and future collaborations between Vietnam and Morocco, providing a clear roadmap for joint efforts in key areas of mutual interest.

A Strengthened Bilateral Bond

The Moroccan Embassy in Hanoi is actively committed to further strengthening the already strong bilateral ties between Vietnam and Morocco through a range of exciting new initiatives and ongoing projects. These initiatives include:

• Boosting Tourism Promotion: Recognizing the rich cultural heritage and diverse tourism offerings of both nations, joint marketing campaigns, cultural exchange programs, and tourism promotion initiatives are being planned to encourage greater people-to-people contact and foster mutual understanding. These initiatives will showcase the unique cultural attractions, historical sites, and natural beauty of both Vietnam and Morocco to a wider audience, promoting tourism and cultural exchange between the two countries.
• Producing a Documentary Celebrating Shared History: A particularly exciting initiative is the planned production of a documentary film that will celebrate the shared struggles for independence and national liberation experienced by both Vietnam and Morocco. This documentary will highlight the historical connections between the two nations, emphasizing their shared values and aspirations.
• Promoting Trade: Both nations are actively working to promote trade and investment opportunities between their respective business communities. Trade delegations, business forums, and investment seminars are being organized to facilitate business networking, explore potential partnerships, and promote bilateral trade and investment flows.
• Strengthening Educational Trade: Recognizing the importance of education and knowledge sharing, efforts are being made to strengthen educational and academic exchanges between Vietnamese and Moroccan universities and research institutions. These exchanges will facilitate the sharing of knowledge, expertise, and best practices in various fields, promoting academic collaboration and fostering stronger ties between the academic communities of both nations.

These ongoing and planned initiatives demonstrate a strong commitment from both Vietnam and Morocco to further deepen their bilateral relationship, building on their shared history, promoting mutual understanding, and fostering greater cooperation in a wide range of areas. The Vietnam-Morocco cooperation is not just a diplomatic endeavor; it is a partnership built on mutual respect, shared aspirations, and a desire to create a better future for both nations.