Monday, July 1, 2024 at 6:51 p.m.
Agadir – The Minister of Agriculture, Maritime Fisheries, Rural Development and Water and Forests, Mohamed Sadiki, highlighted, Monday in Agadir, Morocco’s active role in the field of biospheres.
Speaker at the closing of an international conference, initiated by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) and the National Agency for the Development of Oasis Zones and the Argan Tree (ANDZOA) under the theme “Rooted in resilience: Discovering the importance of soil in sustainable development”, Mr. Sadiki noted that this event reinforces Morocco’s commitment to the conservation of natural resources, sustainable development, and improving relationships between humans and the natural environment.
“The choice of Morocco for the organization of this meeting reflects the recognition of the international community of the active role of the Kingdom in the field of biospheres, under the enlightened leadership of His Majesty the King,” he affirmed during this closing session, enhanced by the presence in particular of the Director General of UNESCO, Audrey Azoulay, in addition to a host of personalities, experts and international researchers in the field.
He, in this sense, noted that the Kingdom currently hosts four biosphere reserves recognized by UNESCO, notably the Arganeraie Biosphere Reserves, the Oasis Biosphere of Southern Morocco, the Intercontinental Biosphere of the Mediterranean and of the Atlas Cedar Biosphere.
Referring to the 36th Session of the International Coordinating Council of the Man and the Biosphere (MAB) Programme, which will begin on Tuesday in Agadir, the minister noted that Morocco is “a country which, through its biological and cultural diversity, offers an exceptional field of experimentation and innovation for this programme”.
“Since joining the MAB program, Morocco has been fully committed to the protection of its ecosystems which are living laboratories where innovative practices are developed for the management of natural resources, adaptation to climate change and the promotion of “environmental education”, he explained, noting that the sustainable management of natural resources becomes a lever for inclusive development in the face of climate challenges.
Morocco, he continued, has also been able to harmoniously integrate the objectives of the MAB program into its national policies, in particular the strategic orientations of the Lima declaration, thus expressing the strong desire to reconcile nature conservation and development. human.
For Mr. Sadiki, it is a work of synergy and convergence between public institutions, local authorities, researchers, NGOs and local communities, highlighting the agricultural, forestry and rural development strategies that have been implemented, which play a key role in this dynamic.
“We have put in place sustainable agricultural policies which aim to improve the entire agricultural value chain, while ensuring the preservation of natural resources and the strengthening of the agricultural resilience of rural areas and its communities in the face of climatic challenges,” he said. he argued, highlighting the strategies “Generation Green 2020-2030” and “Forests of Morocco 2020-2030”.
Likewise, Morocco has made significant progress in water resources management and reforestation, Mr. Sadiki stressed.
“We have undertaken ambitious initiatives to restore degraded ecosystems, through reforestation and watershed management programs, thereby contributing to the fight against soil erosion and desertification. In partnership with various stakeholders, we have initiated structuring programs with projects aimed at protecting and restoring natural habitats,” he said.
Furthermore, particular attention was paid to applied scientific research, education and training and capacity building of stakeholders and local communities, he added.
Regarding efforts to mitigate and adapt to climate change and strengthen the resilience of ecosystems, the Minister reported colossal investments mainly in the control of irrigation water, its economy, its mobilization from non-conventional sources, in particular the desalination of sea water for irrigation, while the mitigation effort concerned the extension of plantations to increase the potential for carbon sequestration and reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
“All these efforts include the implementation of Morocco’s international commitments, particularly within the framework of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change, the Convention on Biodiversity, the Paris Agreement and the 2030 Agenda relating to the Objectives of Sustainable Development (SDG) aims to eradicate poverty, protect the planet and guarantee prosperity for all,” he noted.
And the minister added: “Sustainability is no longer a fad but the logical and necessary path towards improving the living conditions of populations and the prosperity of States.”
