From Laayoune, Morocco and Bahrain turn consecutive UN seats into extended diplomatic campaign

Morocco and Bahrain said on Monday they would coordinate their upcoming non permanent terms on the UN security council as a single four year diplomatic strategy, aligning their positions from 2026 to 2029 on issues including Palestine and regional security.

Speaking at the sixth session of the Morocco Bahrain joint high commission in Laayoune, Morocco’s foreign minister, Nasser Bourita, said the two countries would approach their consecutive council seats “with a strategic logic extending over four continuous years, not as two separate periods”. Initiatives launched by Bahrain during its 2026 to 2027 term, he said, would be “developed and completed by Morocco once it joins the council”, with the same approach applied in reverse.

Bahrain’s foreign minister, Abdullatif bin Rashid Al Zayani, confirmed that close coordination would begin during his country’s tenure and continue during Morocco’s 2028 to 2029 term, with sustained consultation on “issues of common interest, foremost among them the Palestinian cause”.

Bourita said Rabat and Manama’s positions were “convergent and aligned” on major files, particularly support for a Palestinian state based on 1967 borders with East Jerusalem as its capital, describing their stance as “principled and responsible, far from bidding or exaggeration, but practical and effective”.

Bourita said Bahrain had taken “clear and firm positions” in support of Morocco’s sovereignty over the territory, noting that Bahrain’s king was the first to inform King Mohammed VI of his country’s decision to open a consulate in the southern provinces. Holding the joint commission in Laayoune, he said, reflected that support. Al Zayani reiterated his country’s “constant backing” for Morocco’s territorial integrity.

Beyond diplomatic coordination, Bourita said Morocco, under royal instructions, was committed to “absolute support and solidarity” with Bahrain, adding that “what affects Bahrain affects Morocco”.

He called for economic and trade ties to match the strength of political relations, urging activation of the joint economic committee and greater private sector engagement through business forums.

He said Bahrain could serve as a platform for Morocco’s access to other markets, while Morocco could act as a gateway for Bahraini investors into African, European and even American markets, citing its network of partnership and free trade agreements.

The session concluded with the signing of agreements including visa exemptions for diplomatic, special and service passport holders, customs cooperation, and memorandums covering agricultural production, food security, pensions and social security coordination.

Bourita said the meeting had established a unified reference framework and joint action programme to monitor implementation and assess progress in future sessions.