Latest news with #EnergyTransitionandSustainableDevelopment
Morocco World
07-06-2025
- Business
- Morocco World
France, Morocco Agree on Roadmap to Jumpstart Energy Cooperation
Doha – Morocco's Minister of Energy Transition and Sustainable Development, Leila Benali, has held strategic discussions with her French counterpart in Paris to advance bilateral cooperation on major energy projects. Benali met with Marc Ferracci during her working visit to Paris on Friday, with the pair pledging to strengthen energy cooperation between the two countries. The meeting focused on accelerating their two countries' partnership in renewable energy, electric interconnection, and low-carbon transition. This high-level encounter builds upon Emmanuel Macron's state visit to Morocco in October 2024, which the French president made at the invitation of King Mohammed VI. That diplomatic milestone resulted in several major agreements, including an ambitious strategic partnership in energy, electrical interconnections, and low-carbon transition. At the center of discussions was the innovative electrical interconnection project between France and Morocco. The bidirectional 'off-grid' underwater connection requires installing a cable at unprecedented depths. Both ministers reviewed the technical and regulatory steps needed to launch an international market test for this groundbreaking project. Holding shared commitments Industrial cooperation featured prominently in the talks. The ministers examined joint investment opportunities in renewable energy sectors, including cable manufacturing, solar and wind energy, battery production, and the development of strategic industrial components. 'Green molecules' such as hydrogen and ammonia were also on the agenda. Officials identified their potential use in land, air, and maritime transport, while calling attention to the need for coordinated industrial integration in these emerging sectors. Both parties stressed the importance of collaborative research and innovation, particularly around cutting-edge technologies like energy storage, electrolyzers, and sustainable mobility. They shared a commitment to developing concrete and competitive solutions. The meeting concluded with renewed political and institutional commitments from both countries. Their stated goal is to develop model projects that will contribute to energy sovereignty, industrial competitiveness, and climate transition acceleration. This partnership aligns with the royal vision of establishing Morocco as a regional clean energy hub and a key player in the international climate response. Read also: Portugal Turns to Morocco Power Link as France Blocks EU Grid Tags: leila benaliMorocco France Relations
Morocco World
03-06-2025
- Business
- Morocco World
Morocco Launches Updated Green Strategy to Achieve Sustainable Development by 2035
Rabat – Morocco has announced an updated national strategy for sustainable development, aimed at creating a fair and inclusive green transformation by the year 2035. Minister of Energy Transition and Sustainable Development Leila Benali presented the revised strategy to the House of Representatives' Committee on Infrastructure, Energy, Minerals, Environment, and Sustainable Development on Tuesday. Benali explained that the updated strategy builds on the achievements of the first version launched in 2017, which helped improve institutional coordination, develop clear sectoral plans, and launch a digital platform for monitoring progress. However, she noted that some challenges remain, such as the lack of local monitoring systems and the need for more measurable indicators. The new strategy takes a flexible and inclusive approach that focuses on six key transformation areas. These include protecting and valuing natural resources, fair access to basic services, transitioning to a low-carbon green economy, ensuring energy, water, and food security, promoting territorial justice, and preserving Morocco's cultural heritage. Minister of Energy Transition and Sustainable Development Leila Benali These areas will be supported by five tools, including developing human capital, accelerating digital transformation, promoting innovation, improving legal and tax systems, and strengthening sustainable financing. The strategy was developed through a wide national consultation process. It included regional meetings across Morocco, sectoral and community discussions, and an online platform to gather input from citizens and Moroccans living abroad. Benali said the strategy reflects the vision of King Mohammed VI, the New Development Model, the government program, and the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals. A multi-level governance system will be used to implement the strategy. This includes a national committee led by the head of government, as well as sectoral and regional committees. A three-year budget planning system aligned with sustainable development goals will also be introduced, along with a monitoring and evaluation system to be updated every two years. Tags: Environment in Moroccogreen strategysustainable development
Morocco World
22-05-2025
- Business
- Morocco World
Morocco, Mali Strengthen Environmental Cooperation Through Strategic Dialogue
Rabat – Leila Benali, Minister of Energy Transition and Sustainable Development, held extensive virtual talks today with her Malian counterpart Mariam Tangara Doumbia. The discussions focused on strengthening bilateral cooperation to address climate and environmental challenges, advancing joint projects based on solidarity, knowledge transfer, and regional integration. During the meeting, Minister Benali emphasized that under the guidance of King Mohammed VI, Morocco places its relationship with the rest of Africa at the heart of its strategic priorities. She highlighted Morocco's commitment to a new generation of South-South partnerships centered on efficiency, solidarity, and tangible results . Benali also shed light on Morocco's initiatives to promote sustainable development in the region, such as the Royal Atlantic Initiative for the Sahel countries and Mali's active participation in the Sahel Climate Committee, which serves as a crucial platform for regional climate coordination. The Moroccan minister stressed the importance of practical discussions to activate bilateral cooperation, especially in areas of expertise sharing, technology transfer, capacity building, and innovative climate adaptation solutions. She commended Mali's strong commitment to environmental and sustainable development issues, recalling past coordinated efforts, including close cooperation during Morocco's presidency of the UN Environment Assembly. For her part, Minister Tangara Doumbia lauded Morocco's leadership in energy transition, climate financing, and environmental policy governance, recognizing the country's expertise in supporting environmental projects across Africa. She also expressed Mali's keen interest in benefiting from Morocco's experience in renewable energy , waste valorization, and the enhancement of training and capacity-building systems. Tangara Doumbia outlined several pressing challenges facing Mali, notably the energy crisis, solid waste management, water pollution caused by unregulated mining, and rapid degradation of agricultural lands. She emphasized the need for innovative and integrated approaches involving environmental transformation projects and circular economy solutions, particularly converting waste into energy and organic fertilizers to support sustainable agriculture. In response, Minister Benali expressed Morocco's readiness to share its expertise with Mali in these fields and expressed the desire to deepen cooperation in agricultural research, sustainable land management, and the use of renewable energy in agriculture. She pointed to the key role of the OCP Group, through its academic branch with Mohammed VI Polytechnic University and its R&D subsidiary InnoVx, in driving research and innovation related to sustainable agriculture and soil management, including desert soils. Both sides agreed on the urgency of accelerating technical discussions between their ministerial teams to establish a cooperation framework on these priorities, aiming to sign an agreement as soon as possible. They also pledged to launch joint field projects focused on waste valorization, climate adaptation, and circular economy development, reaffirming their shared commitment to building a sustainable environmental future anchored in climate sovereignty.
Morocco World
13-05-2025
- Business
- Morocco World
Nigeria-Morocco Gas Pipeline: Feasibility Study, Route Finalized
Rabat – The Nigeria-Morocco Gas Pipeline project has made significant progress, with key agreements signed, feasibility and engineering studies completed. Plans are also underway to create a special-purpose company and make the final investment decision by the end of 2025. Morocco's Minister of Energy Transition and Sustainable Development, Leila Benali, shared the latest developments on the project during a session in the Council of Advisors, the upper house of Morocco's parliament. Speaking at the oral questions session, Benali revealed that the latest ministerial meeting concerning the project had resulted in the approval of an agreement between the participating countries, along with the Host Country Agreement. These agreements mark a significant step forward in the project, which aims to connect Nigeria's vast natural gas reserves to Morocco, and further extend to Europe. The minister explained that the project will proceed in phases, noting that the feasibility study and initial engineering studies have been completed, along with determining the optimal route for the pipeline. The focus currently is on creating a special-purpose company between Morocco and Nigeria to oversee the implementation of the project. This company will be responsible for the final investment decision, which is expected to be made by the end of this year. Read also: UAE To Invest in Morocco-Nigeria Gas Pipeline Project The Nigeria-Morocco Gas Pipeline project, which is estimated to cost approximately $25 billion, represents a major driver for economic, industrial, and digital development, Benali says. It is also expected to create thousands of job opportunities and serve as a key factor in transforming Morocco into a primary energy transit hub linking Europe, Africa, and the Atlantic basin. One of the key components of this project is the creation of a national gas infrastructure. The Moroccan government launched a call for interest in April 2025 to develop infrastructure that will connect the northern regions of Morocco, including the port of Nador, to cities such as Kenitra, Mohammedia, and eventually to Dakhla. This expansion will help integrate the national network with the Nigeria-Morocco pipeline. The pipeline itself will span approximately 6,000 kilometers, passing through several African countries, with an annual capacity of 15 to 30 billion cubic meters of natural gas. It is expected to provide access to energy for about 400 million people across 13 countries, dramatically improving energy access in the region. Tags: gas projectMorocco Nigeria
Morocco World
10-05-2025
- Business
- Morocco World
Morocco Expands Marine Conservation with Eight New Protected Areas
Rabat – Morocco has officially established eight new Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) along its Mediterranean and Atlantic coasts, reinforcing its commitment to safeguarding marine biodiversity and ecosystems. The announcement was made by Leila Benali, Minister of Energy Transition and Sustainable Development, made the announcement during the opening of the 8th edition of the Forum de la Mer in El Jadida on Thursday. Speaking at the forum, Benali reaffirmed Morocco's engagement under the new global biodiversity framework, with an ambitious national goal of designating 10% of the country's maritime territory as protected by 2030. 'Protecting 30% of marine areas could increase fish biomass by 500%, offering greater security to the fishing industry while significantly enhancing added value for local communities,' Benali explained, emphasizing the long-term benefits of sustainable ocean management. Strategic Reforms Under Royal Leadership Under the leadership of King Mohammed VI, Morocco has launched a comprehensive series of reforms aimed at preserving marine and coastal ecosystems. 'Morocco has implemented, in close consultation with stakeholders, a set of strategic, legal, institutional, and operational measures,' said Benali. She also highlighted that the National Strategy for Sustainable Development (SNDD) now places marine conservation at the core of public policy. The strategy acts as a framework to integrate sustainability principles across territorial and sectoral development plans. Benali welcomed the progress of initiatives such as the 'Plastic-Free Coast' plan, which complements the National Emergency Plan against Accidental Marine Pollution. Read also: Morocco Aims to Become Regional Leader in Renewable Energy, Strategic Minerals These combined efforts have led to a measurable improvement in beach water quality, with compliance rates rising to 93% in 2024, up from 88% in 2021. Additionally, beach waste collection has seen a notable reduction of more than 21%. Beyond regulations, Benali stressed the need for collective action. 'These concrete achievements highlight the importance of collective action driven by awareness, education, and the ongoing mobilization of all actors, institutions, local authorities, civil society, citizens, and especially Moroccan youth and grassroots associations,' she said. Held under the theme 'The Sea, Future of the Earth,' the Forum de la Mer runs until May 11 in El Jadida. The event serves as a platform for dialogue and co-creation, gathering researchers, experts, artists, NGOs, companies, and institutional representatives to address the pressing challenges facing oceans and coastal environments. The opening ceremony was attended by several prominent figures, including Pascale Trimbach, French Consul General in Casablanca, and Mhamed Atfaoui, Governor of the Province of El Jadida. Tags: leila benaliMarinesmorocco marines
