Atlantic Dialogues: Former Presidents Call for Stronger South-South Atlantic Cooperation

During a panel themed “A New Atlantic Deal: Southern Perspectives”, as part of the 12th edition of Atlantic Dialogues, the former presidents of Nigeria and Ecuador noted that in the face of global challenges, South-South Atlantic cooperation can enhance the collective influence of South Atlantic countries through strategic alliances in order to address global issues like climate change or economic inequality.

“A South Atlantic that will be able to benefit itself and the world at large shall promote South-South Atlantic cooperation and togetherness”, former president of Nigeria, Olusegun Obasanjo, said, adding that the South Atlantic “needs to go fast to catch up and far to be sure not to lag behind”.

Obasanjo, the African Union (AU) High Representative for the Horn of Africa, called for creating an Atlantic Cooperation Organization, which will be started from Africa, Latin America and the Caribbean. “This will be an organization for peace, security and development”, he stressed.

“I believe that Morocco from Africa and Brazil from Latin America can lead this initiative”, he stressed, pointing out that this organization can become a strong and influential voice on the world stage.

For his part, former Ecuador’s president, Luis Osvaldo Hurtado Larrea, said that the South Atlantic shall promote its intra cooperation to actively shape and influence international geopolitical dynamics to ensure representation and address imbalances in the global decision-making process.

Tackling the intercontinental framework that could effectively showcase and advance Southern perspectives and interests, the former president highlighted the importance of economic partnership, notably through the signing of Free Trade Agreements that have boosted intra-regional cooperation and constitute key factors for progress.

Hurtado Larrea also pointed out that countries of the Global South are confronted with new opportunities, presenting a crucial opening to assert their newfound position for a more inclusive and balanced equilibrium.

The 12th edition of the Policy Center for the New South’s (PCNS) annual international conference, ‘The Atlantic Dialogues’, kicked off on Thursday, under the High Patronage of His Majesty King Mohammed VI.

With its focus on the theme “A More Assertive Atlantic: Its Meaning for the World”, the event convened over 400 guests from 80 different nationalities across the Atlantic Basin to discuss various economic and geopolitical topics, reflecting the evolving landscape of a more interconnected and integrated Atlantic. Through candid, informal, and well-informed discussions, it aims to foster dialogues that could translate into tangible actions.