PERTH– Morocco and Australia have marked 50 years of diplomatic relations with a gala dinner in Perth, bringing together representatives of the diplomatic, business and Moroccan community to celebrate the longstanding relationship between the two countries.
Hosted by the Embassy of the Kingdom of Morocco on September 3, the event highlighted five decades of diplomatic engagement and growing cooperation between Australia and Morocco, with a particular focus on opportunities in Western Australia.
The gathering brought together distinguished guests, partners and friends of Morocco to commemorate what it described as five decades of “friendship, dialogue and growing cooperation”.
Australia and Morocco formally established diplomatic relations in 1976. According to Australia’s Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, the relationship has developed across areas including trade, agriculture and cooperation on countering terrorism and violent extremism. Australia opened its embassy in Rabat in 2017, strengthening its diplomatic presence in North Africa.
Economic ties have also provided an important dimension to the relationship. Australia and Morocco have identified agriculture, renewable energy and water management as areas with scope for greater cooperation. Australian engineering company Worley is also involved in JESA, a joint venture with Morocco’s OCP, reflecting links between the two countries’ business communities.
The Perth celebration comes at a time when both countries are seeking to deepen engagement beyond their respective capitals. Western Australia, with its strong resources, agriculture and international trade sectors, offers opportunities for expanded commercial links with Morocco.
Morocco maintains an Honorary Consulate in Western Australia, with Edmund Damouni serving as Honorary Consul since July 2025, according to the Australian Government’s diplomatic and consular directory.
The Moroccan embassy acknowledged Fortescue, the Arab Chamber of Commerce, the Moroccan Association of Perth and Morocco’s Honorary Consul for their support in organising the Perth event.
The embassy said the celebration provided an opportunity to reflect on the development of Australia-Morocco relations and reaffirmed a shared commitment to strengthening bilateral ties, particularly with Western Australia.
The 50th anniversary celebrations have been held against a broader effort by both countries to build on their diplomatic relationship, including through business, education, tourism, agriculture and cooperation on emerging economic and environmental challenges.
For Morocco, the Perth gathering also offered an opportunity to strengthen its engagement with one of Australia’s major economic regions and with the growing Moroccan and broader Arab community in Western Australia.
