Marrakech – Morocco signed the Artemis Accords on Wednesday in Rabat, becoming the 64th country and the fifth in Africa to join the US-led framework governing civil space exploration. Foreign Minister Nasser Bourita signed the agreement during a meeting with US Deputy Secretary of State Christopher Landau, who is on his first official visit to the country.
“Today, we are delighted to see our alliance extend to space,” Landau told reporters at a joint press conference. “We can’t ask for a better partner than Morocco.”
The Artemis Accords are a set of non-binding international principles drafted by NASA and the US Department of State in 2020. They aim to guide the peaceful exploration and use of the Moon, Mars, comets, and asteroids.
The framework promotes transparency among nations, the sharing of scientific data, mutual emergency assistance, and compliance with existing space law, particularly the 1967 Outer Space Treaty. The accords also establish norms around the use of space resources and the prevention of conflicts in outer space.
The agreement is tied to NASA’s Artemis program, which seeks to return humans to the Moon and eventually establish a sustained presence there as a stepping stone to Mars. Jordan became the 63rd signatory just days earlier on April 23. Russia and China are not parties to the accords. Both have instead pursued a separate initiative, the International Lunar Research Station.
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Landau hailed the growing reach of the accords. “The remarkable growth of the Artemis Accords, which now have sixty-four signatories from around the world, attests to the universal appeal of their vision of responsible space exploration,” he noted.
The signing took place in the context of a broader diplomatic visit marking the 250th anniversary of Morocco-US relations. Morocco was the first country to recognize American independence in 1777.
Landau thanked “President Donald Trump and His Majesty King Mohammed VI for their vision and leadership,” calling it a “vision that is propelling our 250-year partnership to new heights.” He described Morocco as “an essential, stable, and strategic partner in North Africa, on the African continent, and on the international stage.”
‘What a lasting relationship looks like’
He also pointed to a symbolic milestone. The US will inaugurate its newest diplomatic facility in Casablanca on Thursday, while its oldest diplomatic building in the world remains in Tangier. “This is what true commitment and a lasting relationship look like,” Landau remarked.
On the Western Sahara, Landau reaffirmed US recognition of Moroccan sovereignty. He called the duration of the conflict, ongoing since 1975, “unacceptable” and urged a “peaceful resolution” that is also “timely.” “This situation cannot wait another 50 years or 150 years or 200 years to be resolved,” he added.
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Bourita, for his part, described the bilateral relationship as entering a “very distinguished period” in terms of depth and strength. He announced Morocco’s decision to join the US-launched “Trade Over Aid” initiative, unveiled the day before in New York. The move, he noted, aligns with the vision King Mohammed VI has repeatedly expressed on African development.
Bourita also pointed to growing economic ties. Trade between the two countries has multiplied sevenfold since their free trade agreement entered into force. Morocco remains the only African country with such an agreement with the United States. The ninth session of the joint committee overseeing the deal is set to convene soon.
On the defense front, Bourita referenced the launch of the 22nd edition of the African Lion military exercises, the largest of their kind on the continent, and recent meetings of the joint defense advisory committee in Washington.
Landau arrived in Morocco from Algeria, where he began his North Africa tour on April 27. In Algiers, he was received by President Abdelmadjid Tebboune alongside AFRICOM Commander Gen. Dagvin Anderson.
Discussions there focused on regional security, counterterrorism, and commercial deals in energy and mining. His Morocco visit continues to Casablanca and Marrakech through May 1.
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