France’s new ambassador in Rabat champions a ‘franco-moroccan method’

For his first public appearance as France’s ambassador to Morocco, Philippe Lalliot chose the spring meeting of the Paris Peace Forum, held on June 4-5, 2026 at Mohammed VI Polytechnic University (UM6P) in Rabat. The address came just a day after presenting his credentials to the King.

Amidst the entrenchment of crises and shockwaves that now spare no nation, Lalliot stressed the relevance of multilateral rules. “International law is not dead. Its founding principles are just. It must be defended on principle, because it is precisely the shield for those who have none,” he declared, emphasizing its nature as a common good.

For the diplomat, international law still represents “the condition for peace, stability and security for the greatest number.”

“We are here in the right place, at the right time and in good company to think precisely about the ways and means by which we can together ensure that these great upheavals, these transitions, are the subject of concrete, realistic and adapted solutions,” he argued, calling for “transforming our hopes and ambitions into projects and actions.”

The ambassador noted that reflection on major global imbalances and the definition of solutions to address them lies “at the heart of the exceptional partnership that unites France and Morocco.”

For Lalliot, this “franco-moroccan method” is meant to inspire others. “I am convinced that our two countries, through their shared history but also through the common vision they have of these issues and of the future, have the responsibility to set an example,” he said, believing that this responsibility consists of gathering widely, especially ahead of key bilateral or multilateral milestones.

He illustrated his point with the first project launched since taking office. “The day before yesterday, alongside Morocco’s Minister of Equipment and Water, and my German, Italian and European counterparts, we launched a vast program of nearly 350 million euros aimed at supporting Morocco’s national water management strategy.”

Strategic for Morocco’s water sovereignty, this project targets better knowledge of water resources—especially groundwater—concerted management of climate-related water phenomena, particularly floods, and other initiatives such as wastewater reuse.

As debates in Rabat conclude on energy and food security—topics at the heart of the G7 in Évian from June 15 to 17—France and Morocco are preparing a new cooperation framework whose implementation is imminent.