Monday, July 1, 2024 at 1:31 p.m.
Agadir – “Rooted in Resilience: Discovering the Importance of Soil in Sustainable Development” is the theme of an international conference that opened on Monday in Agadir, with the participation of a host of international personalities, experts and researchers in the field.
Jointly initiated by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) and the National Agency for the Development of Oasis Zones and Argan Trees (ANDZOA), on the sidelines of the 36th Session of the International Coordinating Council of the Man and the Biosphere Programme (1-5 July), this meeting will focus on the interdependencies between soils and groundwater, soil management practices and the cultural dimensions of soil sciences in the light of climate change.
Participants in this conclave will also discuss integrated landscape management, soil restoration techniques, the fight against desertification and improving soil resistance to drought and flooding.
Speaking on this occasion, the general director of ANDZOA, Latifa Yaacoubi, indicated that Morocco has a diversity of soils and natural environments which constitute precious capital. “Our fertile soils strongly contribute to national food security,” she noted, noting that Moroccan biodiversity is also a major asset, which offers a variety of plant and animal species, participates in ecological balances and provides resources for the local population, for agriculture and for tourism.
The DG of ANDZOA also noted that several challenges linked to land degradation must be overcome, in particular desertification, soil erosion and loss of biodiversity, stressing that public authorities are aware of these challenges, and have launched several initiatives for the preservation of soil and biodiversity.
“This meeting certainly highlights the various crucial aspects of the nexus of soils, biodiversity, landscape management and water, and is an opportunity to capitalise on the good practices of local communities and on the advances in scientific research that will illuminate our path towards a sustainable future,” she explained.
For her part, UNESCO Assistant Director-General for Natural Sciences, Lidia Arthur Brito, stressed the close correlation between soil and sustainable development, underlining UNESCO’s commitment to promoting joint action to safeguard world heritage in this area and to address the problem of soil depletion.
Referring to the situation in Africa, Ms. Brito drew attention to the factors that make populations more vulnerable, particularly because of the worrying degradation of soils, noting that desertification continues to spread in an alarming manner, thus impacting significant areas of fertile land.
“UNESCO calls for the mobilization of the international community, which must act urgently and become aware of this problem,” she argued, emphasizing Morocco’s valuable contribution to the protection of biodiversity.
On the menu of this event are panels focusing in particular on “Soil health in the face of global climate change – challenges and opportunities”, “Soils and biodiversity”, “Soils at the heart of integrated landscape management” and “Education and culture in the field of soil sciences”.
