The President of the World Water Council, Loïc Fauchon, praised Morocco’s policy on water resource management and security during an event in Fès on Wednesday, calling it “an example for the world.”
“The Moroccan experience is exemplary as the Kingdom faces climate challenges and population growth, having implemented appropriate solutions to secure water resources,” Mr. Fauchon emphasized while speaking at the 7th Pan-African Conference on Rural Engineering, held under the High Patronage of His Majesty King Mohammed VI.
The President of the World Water Council highlighted the colossal projects in place and the new technologies introduced, including desalination, wastewater recycling, and water transfer, to ensure Moroccan citizens access to this resource, while also paving the way for African countries in the field.
“The Fès conference is an opportunity for African countries to draw inspiration from Morocco’s remarkable experience, which enables the Kingdom to be one of the great nations in the world,” he stated.
Mr. Fauchon particularly stressed the importance of the Global Centre for Unconventional Water and Renewable Energies, which will be established in Morocco, adding that this centre “will exemplify the Kingdom’s expertise in unconventional water and renewable energy.”
In his opening remarks at the conference, the expert specifically mentioned the desalination plant in Dakhla, along with the one in Rabat currently under construction, as “a unique example in the world,” especially since they operate entirely with renewable energy, significantly reducing the cost per cubic meter.
After listing the numerous challenges facing the world in agricultural and climatic contexts, he highlighted the “crucial” role of elected officials and leaders in advocating for the farmers and rural communities that ensure food and water security.
He emphasized the need to urge decision-makers to oppose the disappearance of agricultural land and water resources, as Morocco has done, by legislating and allocating the necessary budgets.
After noting the importance of rural youth, who are called to ensure tomorrow’s food sovereignty and security, Mr. Fauchon remarked that smarter irrigation leads to diversified production, underscoring the need to strengthen innovation capacity.
This meeting is initiated by the National Association for Land Improvement, Irrigation, Drainage, and Environment (ANAFIDE), in partnership with the African Association of Agricultural Engineering and the American Society of Agricultural and Biological Engineers, with support from various national and international partners, including the Ministry of Agriculture, Maritime Fisheries, Rural Development, and Water and Forests, the International Commission on Irrigation and Drainage, and the International Water Management Institute.
The organization of this conference continues the success of previous international events organized by ANAFIDE, including the 5th Regional African Conference of the International Commission on Irrigation and Drainage (Marrakech in 2021) and the 10th International Conference on Micro-Irrigation (Dakhla in 2023).
The opening ceremony of this conference was attended by several officials, including the Minister of Agriculture, Maritime Fisheries, Rural Development, and Water and Forests, Ahmed El Bouari, the Secretary of State for Employment, Hicham Sabiry, representatives from international organizations active in the field, and several African diplomats.