Global Officials Spotlight Morocco’s Rising Security Role at INTERPOL Summit in Marrakech
Marrakech, November 27 (TNA) Morocco’s security strategy and its growing international influence took centre stage this week as senior UN and Arab officials praised the Kingdom’s approach during the 93rd INTERPOL General Assembly, currently underway in Marrakech. Abdellatif Hammouchi, Director General of National Security and Territorial Surveillance, met in Marrakech with UN Police Adviser and Assistant Secretary-General for Rule of Law Faisal Shahkar.
The talks, held at the Menara Gardens venue hosting the INTERPOL summit from November 24–27, focused on expanding cooperation between the UN Police and Moroccan security services.
Shahkar said the UN Secretary-General is keen to strengthen ties with Morocco, highlighting the professionalism and multilingual capabilities of Moroccan police units deployed in peacekeeping missions. He emphasised that Morocco’s expertise represents an asset for UN operations both at headquarters and in conflict zones worldwide.
Morocco, long viewed as a central actor in Arab security coordination, hosts the headquarters of the Arab Organisation for Social Defence Against Crime and the Arab Office for Civil Protection and the Environment.
The meeting is one of several bilateral discussions Hammouchi is holding with international delegations attending the conference, aimed at bolstering partnerships in countering global and transnational crime. Also in Marrakech, Mohamed Ben Ali Koman, Secretary General of the Arab Interior Ministers Council, credited King Mohammed VI’s guidance with transforming Morocco’s security policy into a lever for development rather than merely a tool for crime prevention.
Koman said Moroccan security institutions have made citizen service, human rights, and the protection of human dignity central pillars of their work. He cited the National Security Open Days as a standout example of police–community engagement that is drawing interest from across the Arab world. “What distinguishes Morocco’s security apparatus is its continuous drive to modernise and implement the King’s vision for progress and prosperity,” he said.
Koman pointed to recent international distinctions awarded to Hammouchi—including the Prince Naif Medal for Arab Security (First Class) and the Grand Cross of the Spanish Civil Guard—as indicators of Morocco’s elevated standing in global security circles. Morocco’s election as INTERPOL Vice President for Africa further underlines this influence.
He added that the strong turnout at the Marrakech General Assembly shows the growing relevance of Morocco’s security experience, which many countries are seeking to emulate.
According to Koman, this aligns with King Mohammed VI’s broader vision linking security, sustainable development, and environmental protection. As the INTERPOL summit progresses, Morocco’s security approach—rooted in modernisation, regional cooperation, and global engagement—appears poised to draw even greater international attention.