The commitment came during a meeting in Jakarta between ASEAN Secretary-General Kao Kim Hourn and Morocco’s newly appointed ambassador to the organization, Redouane Houssaini, who presented his credentials at ASEAN headquarters, the institution said in a statement. Kao congratulated Houssaini on his appointment and reaffirmed the secretariat’s commitment to deepening the sectoral dialogue partnership the two sides established in 2023. He highlighted opportunities for triangular cooperation involving ASEAN, Morocco and Africa in trade, investment and development. Discussions also reflected shared principles between the two sides, including dialogue, moderation, respect for state sovereignty and the peaceful settlement of disputes. Morocco acceded to the Treaty of Amity and Cooperation in Southeast Asia in 2016 and became an ASEAN sectoral dialogue partner in September 2023, the first North African country to obtain that status.