Morocco and China signed a memorandum of understanding on Wednesday in Rabat, establishing an executive program for cooperation in the field of water resources covering the period 2025-2027.
Initialed by the Minister of Equipment and Water, Nizar Baraka, and the Chinese Vice Minister of Water Resources, Zhu Chengqing, this executive program aims to exchange experiences, strengthen human and institutional capacities, prepare joint cooperation projects, and coordinate the implementation of special training programs in water-related fields.
The areas of cooperation covered by this program particularly focus on hydraulic infrastructure, including the construction, operation, management, and maintenance of water resource distribution projects.
They also concern the management of extreme phenomena such as floods and droughts, the supply of drinking water in rural areas, as well as the conservation and protection of water resources, including water-saving for irrigation.
Under this memorandum, both parties agree to hold three meetings of the China-Morocco Joint Committee on Water Resources in 2025, 2026, and 2027, to review the experiences of both countries in planning, research, assessment, and monitoring of water resources.
It also involves organizing a technical meeting and an on-site research to present the construction and maintenance of water transport infrastructures in Morocco, in addition to a seminar to summarize the exchange of experiences between the two parties.
On this occasion, Mr. Baraka stated in a press release that this partnership aligns with the strong relations uniting the two countries, which show a great willingness to strengthen their bilateral cooperation.
He emphasized the importance of this memorandum, which, addressing a specific agenda over the next three years, concerns the issue of mobilizing water in both conventional and unconventional ways, combating drought and floods, as well as integrated water management and the preservation of groundwater.
For her part, the Chinese official highlighted the long-standing relations between Morocco and China, noting that the signing of this memorandum will enhance technical cooperation and exchanges in the field of water resources.
The meeting was also attended by the Chinese Ambassador to Rabat, Li Chnglin, and the Director General of the National Office of Electricity and Drinking Water (ONEE), Tarik Hamane.