Agadir Hosts the 6th World Week of Scientific Francophonie, Dedicated to Science Diplomacy in the Face of Geopolitical Challenges

Mr. Saïd Amzazi, wali of the Souss-Massa region and governor of the Agadir Ida-Outanane prefecture, took part on Tuesday, October 13, 2026, in the opening ceremony of the sixth edition of the World Week of Scientific Francophonie, held in Agadir from October 12 to 15, 2026, in partnership with the Agence universitaire de la Francophonie (AUF), Ibn Zohr University, the Souss-Massa regional wilaya and the Souss-Massa Region. Held under the theme “What role for Francophone scientific diplomacy in the face of global geopolitical challenges?”, the event brings together ministers, university officials, university presidents, researchers, experts and students representing more than 60 nationalities.

The opening session of this international scientific event was attended by Mr. André Azoulay, Adviser to His Majesty King Mohammed VI and chairman of the board of the International Academy of Scientific Francophonie, alongside the president of the Souss-Massa Regional Council, the secretary-general of the Ministry of Higher Education, Scientific Research and Innovation, as well as several officials, representatives of academic and scientific institutions, and institutional partners.

In his opening address, Mr. Saïd Amzazi stressed that Agadir’s hosting of this international scientific gathering reflects its status as a city open to the world, a crossroads for cultural and scientific exchanges, and a platform for strengthening cooperation among universities, research centers and international scientific networks. He highlighted the assets and potential of the Souss-Massa region, which make it a promising environment for the development of scientific research and innovation, as well as for the strengthening of academic partnerships.

The wali also emphasized that scientific diplomacy has become an essential lever for enhancing dialogue among peoples, building bridges of trust between states and facilitating the exchange of knowledge and expertise, against a backdrop of rising geopolitical tensions and accelerating technological change. In this context, he said that scientific Francophonie must go beyond mere linguistic and cultural exchange to build an active space for the production and circulation of knowledge, develop research partnerships, encourage innovation and establish more open and balanced scientific cooperation.

The wali added that this vision is fully aligned with the High Royal Directives of His Majesty King Mohammed VI, which seek to uphold the values of openness, tolerance, freedom, diversity and sharing—values emphasized by the Sovereign in his message to the 15th Francophonie Summit—in order to strengthen the place of knowledge, dialogue and cooperation as the foundations of international relations based on trust and mutual respect.

Agadir’s hosting of this international event reflects the Souss-Massa region’s commitment to strengthening its scientific and academic profile, consolidating its openness to its African and international surroundings, and affirming its position as a space for dialogue, cooperation and innovation. It thereby contributes to sustainable development and reinforces the role of knowledge as an essential driver of integrated development.