The water, energy, and food nexus is an essential element for the transition to sustainability, said Leila Benali, the Minister of Energy Transition and Sustainable Development, on Wednesday in Tangier.
Speaking at the opening of the 2nd edition of the Water-Energy-Food Security-Ecosystems (WEFE) Nexus Forum, Ms. Benali noted that the revision of the national sustainable development strategy (NSDS), as part of a broad democratic consultation process, has identified six main axes for the transition to sustainability, including the water, energy, and food nexus, as well as the protection of water resources and the promotion of a sustainable agricultural sector.
Morocco, rich in its significant natural resources and authentic cultural heritage, has been engaged for two decades in a development approach that strengthens the balance between environmental, economic, and social dimensions, she stated, emphasizing that the NSDS is the fundamental pillar of this commitment, illustrating the Kingdom’s determination to face climate risks such as drought, floods, and other extreme phenomena.
The analysis of the Moroccan economy highlighted two major points that could affect its sustainability, competitiveness, and flexibility, namely water security and energy security, she noted, specifying that the New Development Model emphasized the importance of energy as a lever for the country’s attractiveness and development, and on the ability of territories to adapt to climate change and protect natural resources, including water resources.
In accordance with the High Royal Guidelines, several projects aimed at developing new energies, mobilizing water resources, and strengthening food security have been launched, Ms. Benali added, also mentioning the ministry’s support at the territorial level for all initiatives aimed at using renewable energies for water management within the framework of the energy transition policy, resorting to renewable energy technology in the irrigation process, and encouraging sustainable agricultural practices, as well as other innovative projects to enhance resource efficiency and transcend traditional sectoral approaches.
In this regard, the minister recalled the cooperation projects with the Tangier-Tetouan-Al Hoceima region within the framework of the Mediterranean Sea Program (MedProgramme), the integrated coastal zone management project on the Mediterranean coast, and the project for the development of a document on regional interconnection in cooperation with the Global Water Partnership-Mediterranean (GWP-Med).
The Tangier-Tetouan-Al Hoceima region is on the right track to implement the main strategic orientations of the NSDS and the New Development Model, she asserted, noting that the region currently has 442.6 megawatts of installed wind capacity, enjoys an important location in a strategic energy corridor, and has adequate potential to realize structuring projects in the field of renewable energies and green hydrogen, in addition to its water resources with 20 dams with a total capacity of 5.9 billion m3.
Under the High Patronage of His Majesty King Mohammed VI, the 2nd edition of the WEFE Nexus Forum is being held on February 5 and 6 in Tangier under the theme “Multi-level cooperation for resilient development: putting the Water-Energy-Food Security-Ecosystems nexus into action.”
The Forum, organized by the Tangier-Tetouan-Al Hoceima region, brings together political leaders, experts in the field, and representatives of national and international institutions to address major issues such as resource scarcity and the energy transition.