On the occasion of an international meeting held in Agadir from June 16 to 18, Morocco and Saudi Arabia took a decisive step in favor of environmental sustainability. The two countries signed a memorandum of understanding between the Moroccan National Agency for Water and Forests and the Saudi National Center for the Development of Vegetation Cover and the Fight Against Desertification, affirming their willingness to pool efforts and expertise in the sustainable management of natural resources.
This agreement is part of the preparations for the 21st session of the United Nations Forum on Forests, scheduled for 2026, and reflects a clear alignment of the environmental commitments of both countries with international standards.
A multi-sectoral and technological cooperation axis
The protocol provides for an in-depth technical and scientific partnership, focused on several priority areas: developing strategic frameworks for sustainable forest management, restoring degraded ecosystems, modernizing reforestation techniques, and integrating innovative technologies for forest monitoring and management. All of this is directly linked to efforts to combat desert encroachment and preserve biodiversity.
It is also planned to strengthen applied research, encourage the exchange of expertise, and facilitate cooperation in training local stakeholders.
Strategic alignment and common vision
The foundations of this cooperation are based on a convergence of visions put forward by Morocco through its Forest Strategy 2020-2030, and by Saudi Arabia with its “Saudi Green” initiative. These strategies align on common objectives: intensifying reforestation campaigns, involving local communities through participatory governance, and leveraging technologies for sustainable and smart management of natural resources.
Towards a regional model of environmental cooperation
This agreement is not limited to a bilateral approach: it is part of a broader perspective of regional cooperation through the Green Middle East Initiative, launched by Riyadh in 2021. The goal is to unite the efforts of countries in the region around the fight against land degradation, the safeguarding of ecosystems, and sustainable development.
By sealing this partnership, Rabat and Riyadh are showing the way for exemplary South-South cooperation, with a strong ecological, social, and economic impact, making environmental resilience a lever for shared development.