Peru has announced a significant shift in its diplomatic position on the Western Sahara dispute, expressing support for Morocco’s territorial integrity and sovereignty over the disputed territory while indicating plans to open a consulate in the city of Dakhla.

The announcement followed a meeting between Peruvian Foreign Minister Carlos Espá y Garcés Alvear and Morocco’s Foreign Minister Nasser Bourita on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly in New York. The two countries issued a joint communiqué outlining plans to strengthen their bilateral relationship across several areas.

In the statement, Peru formally expressed support for Morocco’s sovereignty over Western Sahara and backed Morocco’s Autonomy Initiative as a proposed political framework for resolving the long-running dispute. Peru described the initiative as a political solution that should be considered within the principles and purposes of the United Nations Charter.

The Peruvian government also confirmed its support for UN Security Council Resolution 2797, which the joint statement identified as providing renewed momentum to the political process surrounding the Western Sahara issue. The endorsement represents Peru’s diplomatic position and does not itself resolve the territorial dispute.

One of the most notable practical announcements was Peru’s intention to establish a consulate in Dakhla. According to the joint communiqué, the proposed consulate would also serve as a platform for helping Peruvian products gain access to African markets. No opening date or detailed operational timetable has yet been announced.

The proposed diplomatic mission is part of a wider effort by Lima and Rabat to expand economic and political cooperation. The two foreign ministers agreed to identify priority areas for collaboration, including trade, agriculture, fertiliser supplies, water management, renewable energy, logistics, education and vocational training.

Security cooperation was also included in the discussions. The countries said they wanted to strengthen cooperation between their interior ministries, including areas such as extradition and the exchange of intelligence and counter-intelligence information.

Agriculture and food security were another part of the planned cooperation. Morocco has offered fertiliser assistance for small Peruvian farmers, while the two governments discussed opportunities involving agricultural development and water management. Desalination technology was also identified as an area where future cooperation could be explored.

The two governments also agreed to strengthen their political consultations. Their joint statement said the eighth meeting of the bilateral Political Consultations Mechanism would be held in Rabat, although the date will be determined through diplomatic channels.

Peru and Morocco also intend to coordinate more closely within multilateral organisations. The countries said they saw areas of convergence on several international issues and planned to support each other’s candidacies while promoting cooperation on sustainable development and multilateral diplomacy.

The latest announcement is notable because Peru’s position on Western Sahara has changed at different points in recent years. Peru previously restored diplomatic relations with the Sahrawi Arab Democratic Republic in 2021, before later withdrawing recognition and ending those relations in 2022 while strengthening ties with Morocco.

The latest joint statement therefore places Lima firmly behind Morocco’s position while simultaneously linking the diplomatic decision to broader economic and security cooperation.

For Morocco, the announcement adds another Latin American country to its network of diplomatic partners supporting its proposed autonomy framework. For Peru, the planned Dakhla consulate could provide a new base for commercial and diplomatic engagement with African markets.

The Western Sahara dispute itself remains unresolved under the UN-led political process. Peru’s latest decision represents a bilateral diplomatic position rather than a final settlement of the wider territorial dispute.

The announcement also demonstrates how diplomatic decisions surrounding Western Sahara can be connected to broader economic interests. The planned consulate, agricultural cooperation, renewable-energy discussions and security agreements indicate that Lima and Rabat intend to build their relationship across multiple sectors.

Further details about the Dakhla consulate, including its opening date and operational arrangements, are expected to emerge through diplomatic channels.