Days after formally presenting his credentials to the Moroccan monarch, Philippe Lalliot delivered his maiden public address at the spring session of the Paris Peace Forum, hosted in Rabat by the Mohammed VI Polytechnic University (UM6P). His remarks came against a backdrop of global turbulence, where no nation remains untouched by cascading crises.

Philippe Lalliot used the platform to reaffirm the enduring value of multilateral rules. “International law is not obsolete. Its foundational principles remain just. It must be defended as a matter of principle—precisely because it serves as the shield for those who lack one,” he stated, emphasizing its role as a shared global good.

For the ambassador, international law remains “the bedrock of peace, stability, and collective security.” He argued that these legal frameworks are not abstract ideals but practical tools to navigate today’s complex challenges.

The diplomat positioned the discussion within the broader partnership between France and Morocco, describing their collaboration as a model to emulate. “I am convinced that our two countries, bound by history and united in their forward-looking vision, have a duty to lead by example,” he said. This responsibility, he added, involves rallying diverse stakeholders ahead of major bilateral and multilateral meetings.

He illustrated this philosophy with a tangible early achievement: the launch of a €350 million program alongside Morocco’s Minister of Equipment and Water and counterparts from Germany, Italy, and the European Union. Aimed at bolstering Morocco’s water strategy, the initiative targets improved groundwater mapping, coordinated climate-resilient water management—including flood prevention—and expanded wastewater reuse projects.

As Rabat wraps up discussions on energy and food security—key themes for the upcoming G7 summit in Évian (June 15–17)—France and Morocco are finalizing a new cooperation framework set to take shape shortly.