The work of the 5th edition of the International Congress on Climate Change (CI2C-2024) opened on Friday in Essaouira, in the presence of a host of decision-makers, researchers, international experts, and representatives from public and private institutions.
Held under the High Patronage of His Majesty King Mohammed VI, this three-day event, organized by the International Research and Capacity Building Center (CI2RC), in partnership with the Higher School of Technology (EST) of Essaouira, Cadi Ayyad University (UCA) of Marrakech, and the German Friedrich Naumann Foundation for Freedom, under the theme “Decarbonization as a Climate Solution for a Sustainable Future,” aims to foster in-depth exchanges on issues of security, climate change, regional development, and the promotion of a fair climate transition.
Speaking at the opening of this congress, His Majesty the King’s Advisor and founding President of the Essaouira-Mogador Association, Mr. André Azoulay, emphasized the urgency of climate action in an increasingly marked context of extreme weather events, reminding that “the climate future cannot be built without collective mobilization around decarbonization.”
Mr. Azoulay also highlighted Morocco’s commitment to renewable energies, noting that the Kingdom, under the enlightened leadership of His Majesty King Mohammed VI, is on track to achieve ambitious green energy production goals, making the country a model of resilience and innovation in Africa and beyond.
“The energy transition is not limited to isolated projects but requires an integrated approach that involves all actors in society, from governments to businesses, including civil society,” assured His Majesty the King’s Advisor.
For his part, the governor of the province of Essaouira, Adil El Maliki, stated that, in accordance with the High Guidelines of His Majesty the King, several initiatives aimed at strengthening the governance of sustainable development have been implemented in this part of the national territory, among which stands out the Amougdoul wind farm, inaugurated by the Sovereign on April 13, 2007, with a capacity of 60 megawatts and an annual production of about 170 gigawatt-hours, marking a decisive turning point in the development of renewable energies in Morocco.
Mr. El Maliki also mentioned the Jbel Lahdid wind farm, recently connected to the national electricity grid by the National Office of Electricity and Drinking Water, specifying that with a total capacity of 270 megawatts and 54 giant wind turbines standing 74 meters tall, this plant will produce nearly 950 gigawatt-hours per year.
“The province of Essaouira has immense forest potential covering about 275,000 hectares and home to various tree species, such as the argan tree, cedar, carob tree, and holm oak,” he continued, noting that this forest wealth plays an essential role in the region’s biodiversity and in the development of environmental preservation initiatives, thus reinforcing the Kingdom’s efforts in sustainability and conservation of natural resources.
For his part, the president of UCA Marrakech, Belaid Bougadir, stressed the central role of universities in the fight against climate change, ensuring the training of future generations and actively supporting scientific research.
According to Mr. Bougadir, this congress illustrates the importance of developing solutions based on innovation and partnership among local, regional, and international actors, adding that CI2C-2024 will contribute to defining sustainable strategies focused on resilience and cooperation for regional adaptation to global challenges.
The same sentiment was echoed by the president of CI2RC, Khouloud Kahim, who highlighted the centrality of research and innovation in implementing effective solutions for combating climate change, inviting participants at this international congress to work together to create new markets and mobilize the human and financial resources necessary for the success of this energy transition.
For his part, the Swiss ambassador to Morocco, Valentin Zellweger, emphasized his country’s commitment to combating climate change and reviewed Swiss initiatives in sustainability, particularly in the areas of water management and renewable energies, while stressing the importance of sharing best practices and technological innovations.
“Switzerland and Morocco share a common vision for a sustainable future, where international cooperation is essential to address environmental challenges. We are proud to support projects aimed at improving energy efficiency and promoting renewable energies, as these efforts are crucial to achieving our climate goals,” he added.
Finally, the director of the Friedrich Naumann Foundation for Freedom in Morocco, Sebastian Vagt, highlighted the decisive role of democratic governance in the fight against climate change, stating that “sustainable solutions require not only technological advances but also a political framework that fosters citizen participation and innovation.”
CI2C-2024 aims to promote the exchange of ideas and concrete solutions around current environmental challenges, encouraging close collaboration among the various stakeholders involved.
The program includes several panels, workshops, and interactive presentations covering a wide range of topics, including “Climate Change and Vegetation Cover,” “Climate Change and Water-Related Challenges,” “Decarbonization of Coastal and Marine Ecosystems,” and “Gender, Health, and Climate.”
By engaging in discussions on best practices and mobilizing international expertise, CI2C-2024 aspires to play a key role in promoting a fair and sustainable climate transition, both in Morocco and globally.