Morocco reaffirmed on Monday during COP30 in Belém its commitment to the international momentum for sustainable, solidary, and ambitious ocean governance, in line with the vision championed by His Majesty King Mohammed VI.
Speaking at a side event themed “From Nice to Belém – From Belém to New York: On the Road to COP1 Ocean,” held at the French Pavilion, Bouzekri Razi, Director of Climate and Biodiversity at the Ministry of Energy Transition and Sustainable Development, reiterated the Kingdom’s commitment, backed by its 3,500 kilometers of coastline and recognized environmental leadership, to an Africa that fully embraces its maritime destiny and actively contributes to ocean preservation, a common heritage of humanity.
As the international community prepares for COP1 Ocean, he emphasized, marine protection must build on existing advances while enhancing scientific efforts, particularly for ocean floor exploration and understanding.
Mr. Razi also noted that this meeting continues from the “Africa for the Ocean” Summit held in Nice, where Her Royal Highness Princess Lalla Hasnaa conveyed a message from His Majesty King Mohammed VI, filled with vision, clarity, and hope for the continent’s maritime future.
In this message, he recalled, the Sovereign emphasized that the ocean is not only an ecological heritage to be preserved but also a strategic lever for food sovereignty, climate resilience, energy security, and territorial cohesion. His Majesty called for a genuine “blue revolution” based on blue growth, South-South cooperation, and Atlantic synergies.
This Royal Vision, Mr. Razi added, aligns fully with the roadmap “From Nice to Belém,” signed in November 2024 by the heads of state of France and Brazil, setting the course for the United Nations Ocean Conference (UNOC3) leading to COP1 Ocean.
According to him, this framework defines the priorities of UNOC3, in which Morocco participated as an engaged and responsible actor, promoting an ambitious vision for marine protection and the sustainable development of the blue economy.
The Kingdom, Mr. Razi emphasized, is working towards a sustainable blue economy, in line with the 2030 Agenda, SDG 14, and the Royal Vision, through a strong convergence between the blue and green economies, two complementary pillars of a resilient development model.
In this context, he highlighted the Blue Belt initiative, which today serves as a structured action framework based on resource efficiency, combating pollution, circular economy, climate resilience, and reducing territorial inequalities.
On the legal and institutional front, he discussed implementing a robust framework for integrated coastal zone management, including Law 81-12 relating to the coast, the National Coastal Plan (PNL) adopted in 2022, and the Regional Coastal Schemes.
Operationally, he underscored the deployment of structuring projects supported by the Global Environment Facility, the World Bank, and several bilateral cooperations, as well as the “Plastic-Free Coast” strategy aimed at reducing pollution at the source and encouraging the transition to a circular economy.
He also noted that Morocco’s commitment to the oceans is inseparable from its vision of a just energy transition. In this regard, one of the major projects led under the Royal impetus is the African Atlantic Gas Pipeline, aimed at securing access to clean and reliable energy, supporting the energy transition of several African countries, enhancing regional integration, and reducing emissions through the use of a cleaner transitional fuel.
This large-scale project, he explained, will play a crucial role in strengthening energy access in West Africa while supporting low-environmental-impact industrialization and creating job opportunities. It will also contribute to Europe’s energy security through natural gas exports.
Envisioned as a model of sustainability and regional solidarity, he concluded, this project illustrates the coherence between Morocco’s commitments to the oceans, energy transition, and South-South cooperation, in accordance with His Majesty King Mohammed VI’s vision.
MAP