Opening of the premises of the Regional Office for Africa
On 9 July 2025, the premises of the HCCH’s Regional Office for Africa, hosted by the Kingdom of Morocco, were officially opened in Rabat.
The establishment of the Regional Office for Africa was approved by the Council on General Affairs and Policy (CGAP) of the HCCH during its March 2025 meeting, following a proposal submitted by the Government of Morocco. On 2 June 2025, H.E. Mr Nasser Bourita, Minister of Foreign Affairs, African Cooperation, and Moroccan Expatriates, and Dr Christophe Bernasconi, Secretary General of the HCCH, signed the Host Seat Agreement between Morocco and the HCCH, formally establishing the Regional Office. To mark this important milestone, a Forum for Ambassadors from African and Arab States was held in Rabat the following day, bringing together more than 50 Ambassadors accredited to the Kingdom of Morocco.
At the ceremony organised to celebrate the opening of the new premises, Dr Bernasconi extended his congratulations to the newly-appointed Represenative, Mr Rachid Ouadifi, and his team, composed of Mr Ayoub Kaddouri, Legal Officer, Ms Samia Es-Sayedi, Legal Officer, and Ms Sara Bouqartacha, Communications and Office Coordinator.
Together with the Regional Office for Latin America and the Caribbean, established in 2005, and the Regional Office for Asia and the Pacific, established in 2012, the Regional Office for Africa will contribute to the strategic objectives of the HCCH, above all by promoting the universality and inclusiveness of the Organisation. The Regional Office in Rabat will serve as a vital platform to disseminate and promote the work of the HCCH across the African continent. It will also strengthen Africa's voice within the HCCH and help foster an “Africa-for-Africa” approach, drawing on Morocco's rich experience as a Member of the HCCH (since 1993) and as a Contracting Party to seven HCCH Conventions.
The Permanent Bureau is deeply grateful to the Moroccan authorities for their unwavering support and commitment to the success of the HCCH’s Regional Office for Africa.