Latest news with #MohammedVIFoundationforEnvironmentalProtection
Morocco World
12-06-2025
- Morocco World
Morocco Secures 33 Blue Flag Sites, Leads Arab World in Environmental Label
Doha – The Foundation for Environmental Education (FEE) has awarded Blue Flag certification to 33 Moroccan sites during the 2025 summer season, according to a statement from the Mohammed VI Foundation for Environmental Protection (FM6E). The sites include 28 beaches, four marinas, and one mountain lake. The certification, which evaluates environmental management standards at bathing areas, places Morocco 21st globally among 50 participating countries. According to the foundation's data, this positioning makes Morocco the leading Arab country and second in Africa for Blue Flag certifications. All 27 beaches certified in 2024 have maintained their status for 2025, with Sol beach in Tanger-Assilah province joining the list as a new addition. The foundation attributes this consistency to the ongoing collaboration between local authorities, economic partners, and community organizations. Aguelmam Azigza mountain lake in Khénifra National Park has renewed its certification. Located between a majestic cliff and a forest of century-old cedars, this Middle Atlas jewel has undergone development. Improvements include road access, sanitary facilities, camping areas, and reception services, making it the first natural lake in Morocco to receive this recognition. Tanja Marina Bay has become the fourth Moroccan marina to receive Blue Flag status, following Saïdia (2018), Est Marina Smir (2022), and Al Hoceima (2023). With 1,400 berths, it has reportedly been the largest marina in the country since its 2018 opening as part of the Tangier port redevelopment. The Blue Flag label is based on four fundamental criteria: bathing water quality, environmental information and awareness, hygiene and safety, and sustainable development and management. Surprise inspections are conducted throughout the summer to verify compliance with these standards. All Blue Flag-labeled beaches are integrated into the 'Clean Beaches' program, which mobilizes 68 local authorities (supported by the General Directorate of Local Authorities), 25 economic partners, and over 100 local associations each summer. The program collaborates with several institutional partners, including the National Laboratory for Pollution Studies and Monitoring, the General Directorate of Civil Protection, the Ministry of Health and Social Protection, and the Ports and Maritime Public Domain Directorate. This coordinated network works for nearly three months during the summer period to improve beach facilities, monitor sand and bathing water quality, ensure safety and health services, and raise awareness among vacationers about environmental issues. For the 2025 cycle, the foundation received 45 beach applications, suggesting increased interest in the certification process among coastal municipalities. Created in 1987 by the FEE, the Blue Flag has become the most prestigious environmental label worldwide. In 2025, 5,195 sites across the globe are part of the Blue Flag global network, with 95% (4,928 sites) located in the northern hemisphere. Read also: 93% of Moroccan Beach Waters Meet Quality Standards
Maroc
11-06-2025
- Politics
- Maroc
UNOC-3: Morocco Champions Africa's Role in Inclusive, Scientific Ocean Governance
Morocco's steadfast commitment to Africa and its efforts to promote inclusive ocean governance took center stage at two high-level side events held on Tuesday in Nice, France, as part of the 3rd United Nations Ocean Conference (UNOC-3). Participating in both side events, Zakia Driouich, Secretary of State in charge of Maritime Fisheries, emphasized the joint efforts of states, environmental institutions, and civil society actors to make the ocean a lever for sustainable development, regional integration, and South-South solidarity. The first event, organized by the Mohammed VI Foundation for Environmental Protection under the theme 'Innovation in Africa to Accelerate the Global Implementation of SDG 14,' provided an opportunity for Driouich to reaffirm Morocco's commitment to achieving Sustainable Development Goal 14 through innovation and African cooperation. Commending the Foundation's pioneering role, she underscored Africa's ambition to establish a cooperative model of ocean governance, as reflected in the Blue Africa Summit and the Tangier Declaration. Driouich also spoke of integrating technological, social, and institutional innovation at the core of African maritime strategies, while advocating for stronger African representation in international forums and the recognition of the continent's potential. Morocco, she stated, positions itself as a key driver of 'blue diplomacy,' placing the ocean at the service of sustainable development, peace, and sovereignty of African nations. Themed "Africa's blue ambition for UNOC3: Morocco's commitment to regional cooperation," the second side event was organized by the Secretary of State in charge of Maritime Fisheries. This meeting highlighted Morocco's promotion of inclusive ocean governance, based on science, diplomacy, the blue economy and South-South cooperation. These two events, which fully align with the Atlantic Vision of His Majesty King Mohammed VI, helped put forth the African priorities at UNOC-3 and strengthen regional blue economy synergies while supporting the implementation of international ocean actions. MAP: 11 June 2025
Maroc
12-05-2025
- Politics
- Maroc
Morocco Committed to Sustainable Ocean Governance
Morocco's Secretary of State for Maritime Fisheries, Zakia Driouich, reaffirmed on Friday in Bouknadel Morocco's strong commitment to sustainable ocean governance, in line with the High Royal Directives. Speaking at the opening of the high-level preparatory workshop for the third United Nations Ocean Conference (UNOC-3), scheduled from June 9 to 13, 2025, in Nice, Driouich recalled that Morocco has adopted an ambitious roadmap for the blue economy, noted a press release from the Secretariat of State for Maritime Fisheries. Driouich also stated that this roadmap includes an integrated maritime legal framework, fishery management plans, the development of Marine Protected Areas, and the fight against Illegal, Unreported and Unregulated fishing, according to the press release. On this occasion, she praised the crucial role of the Mohammed VI Foundation for Environmental Protection, notably through its flagship initiatives such as Clean Beaches, Blue Flag, and #b7arblaplastic. She also emphasized the importance of involving youth and civil society in these efforts, recalling the participation of more than 500 young people in the African consultation held in Tangier in October 2024, and the engagement of over 950 young African experts in the oceanography capacity-building program launched in November 2024. In addition, Driouich stressed the need for a strong, coordinated African voice at UNOC-3, drawing in particular on the outcomes of key events organized in Morocco, such as the African consultation in Tangier, the Blue Africa Summit Forum, and the regional BBNJ workshop in Rabat. In this regard, she called for the promotion of African initiatives in ocean governance, the mobilization of blue financing, and the strengthening of North-South, South-South, and triangular partnerships. Furthermore, Driouich recalled that Morocco was one of the first countries to ratify the Agreement on Biodiversity Beyond National Jurisdiction (BBNJ), demonstrating its commitment to the sustainable management of marine resources, in line with Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 14 on life below water. She concluded by reaffirming the Kingdom's readiness, under the enlightened leadership of His Majesty King Mohammed VI, to share its experience and support African partners in developing an inclusive and sustainable blue economy, while stressing the need to anchor these efforts in a vision of food sovereignty, regional integration, and shared prosperity. MAP:10 mai 2025
Maroc
30-04-2025
- Health
- Maroc
93% of Morocco's Beach Waters Met Quality Standards in 2024
Some 93% of bathing waters on Moroccan beaches complied with microbiological quality standards in 2024, up five percentage points from 2021, according to a national report presented Tuesday in Rabat. The findings are part of the National Program for Monitoring the Quality of Bathing Water and Beach Sand, which covered 199 beaches and 488 sampling stations—up from 79 beaches in 2004. The report also included beach sand assessments conducted on 64 beaches to evaluate cleanliness and identify sources of marine litter. It found a 21% drop in waste volumes between 2021 and 2024. However, plastics still accounted for 86% of all waste collected, with cigarette butts, plastic caps, and candy wrappers making up more than half of the debris. Speaking at the event, Energy Transition and Sustainable Development Minister Leila Benali said the annual conference serves to prepare for the summer season and mobilize local authorities and beach managers. While welcoming the progress made, she warned that plastic pollution remains a serious threat, with 80% of marine waste traced to land-based sources. Benali called for stronger adoption of ecological solutions through the circular economy and praised initiatives such as the 'Clean Beaches' program and 'Blue Flag' certification, both run in partnership with the Mohammed VI Foundation for Environmental Protection. She urged greater engagement from all stakeholders to reach full compliance. She also encouraged public use of the 'Iplages' mobile app, which provides beach quality updates and promotes citizen involvement in conservation. MAP: 29 avril 2025
Morocco World
11-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Morocco World
Macron Visits Moroccan Pavilion at Paris Book Festival Recognizing Morocco as Guest of Honor
Rabat – French President Emmanuel Macron visited the Moroccan Pavilion at the Paris Book Festival on Thursday, where Morocco is taking the spotlight this year as the Guest of Honor. He was welcomed by Morocco's Minister of Culture, Mohamed Mehdi Bensaid; Morocco's Ambassador to France, Samira Sitail; and Latifa Moftaqir, Commissioner of the Pavilion and Director of Morocco's Archives. In front of President Macron, the French and Moroccan national anthems were performed by Moroccan singer Nabyla Maan. Macron toured the pavilion's different sections, including an exhibition of maps and documents from Morocco's national archives, a presentation by the Mohammed VI Foundation for Environmental Protection chaired by Princess Lalla Hasnaa, and a space dedicated to Moroccan publishers, showcasing a broad range of works on Moroccan literature and culture. He also visited the pavilion's children's section. Minister Bensaid stood on Thursday evening under the glass roof of the Grand Palais in Paris to inaugurate the Moroccan Pavilion at the 2025 Paris Book Festival. Standing before an audience of writers, diplomats, publishers, and artists, Bensaid opened the book festival with confidence. Morocco steps into this edition of the festival as Guest of Honor, a role Bensaid described with 'emotion' and 'pride.' But his words moved beyond ceremony. 'This is more than a cultural courtesy,' he said. 'It's a sign of friendship between our two countries, one that renews itself through generations.' The crowd, marked by shared history and mutual curiosity, listened as Bensaid spoke of the ties that stretch across the Mediterranean. For him, language and memory act not as borders but as bridges. 'We share our differences,' he said, 'and through them, we speak the same desire for dialogue.' This year's festival theme, 'the sea', matched Morocco's spirit. Bensaid described the Mediterranean as a space of origin and the Atlantic as a path toward new futures. 'Both seas belong to us,' he said. 'They carry our memory and our ambition. And from them, we can shape a future we share.' He also offered a sharp reflection on Morocco's cultural strategy, saying the country has made a deliberate choice to place culture at the center of its national journey – Not oil, capital or algorithms. 'It's not machines that shape us,' he said. 'It's stories. And at the heart of it all, there are books.' His speech paid tribute to the quiet labor behind literature, publishers, editors, booksellers, translators, those who, in his words, 'make this daily miracle possible.' He called for books to step outside their traditional spaces and into public life, policymaking, education, and even diplomacy. The French Minister of Culture, Rachida Dati, took the stage in response. Her tone mirrored Bensaid's warmth. She called Morocco 'dear to us' and pointed to a relationship built on 'deep and enduring ties.' Dati also underlined a shift in the festival's purpose. No longer just a book fair, it now stands as a cultural celebration, open, lively, and younger in spirit. 'In uncertain times,' she said, 'literature helps us understand before we judge. It draws us closer instead of pulling us apart.' Vincent Montagne, president of the French Publishers Association and head of the festival, reminded the audience in his remarks of Morocco's weight in the Francophone literary world. From Tahar Ben Jelloun to Leila Slimani, Fouad Laroui to Abdellatif Laâbi, Morocco's literary presence extends far beyond its borders. 'It is a pillar of Francophone literature,' he said. Festival director Pierre-Yves Bérenguer described the collaboration with Morocco as 'rich and dynamic.' This year's programming, he said, reflects the depth of Moroccan writing, from novels and poetry to essays and children's books. Books lined the walls. But more than books, the air carried a sense of possibility, of stories yet to be told, across languages and shores. Rabat is also preparing for its own literary celebration. From April 18 to 27, the city will host the 30th edition of the International Book and Publishing Fair (SIEL), bringing together authors, publishers, and intellectuals from around the world. This year's fair will feature 775 exhibitors from 51 countries, each contributing to a collective passion for books, thought, and creative exchange.
