Morocco & EU seal green partnership to decarbonize their economies
Morocco and the European Union signed on Tuesday in Rabat a “Green Partnership” to counter climate change, advance their energy transition, protect the environment and boost the green economy.
The agreement was inked by Foreign minister Nasser Bourita and European Commission Vice-President Frans Timmermans. This is the first Green Partnership the EU signs with a partner country. It aims to advance the external dimension of the European Green Deal through action on the ground. Work will be developed across three main thematic axes: climate and energy; the environment including marine and maritime issues; and the green economy.
The Partnership will also look at ways to bridge Europe and Africa by joining forces with other countries and partners. It is expected to become a model for similar partnerships on the African continent, where Morocco already leads in terms of environmental and climate ambitions.
Welcoming this important milestone, Mr. Timmermans said: “Morocco is a leader in Africa when it comes to the fight against the climate crisis and environmental degradation.”
“The Green Partnership that we have concluded today harnesses our joint commitment to take action against climate change and to grasp the economic opportunities inherent in the green transition. Together, the European Union and the Kingdom of Morocco can set the course for a healthy climate, a thriving environment, and prosperity for all”, he stressed.
For his part, Mr. Bourita praised the new green deal sealed with the EU, saying the pioneering tool will enable the two partners to adapt to the climate changes and strengthen further their strategic alliance against global challenges.
This Green Partnership will allow the EU and Morocco to progress towards their common goals of becoming low-carbon, climate-resilient economies and transition to a green economy.
The two partners pledge to strengthen early policy dialogue and coordination on energy, climate change, environmental protection and the green economy at bilateral, regional and multilateral levels.
They also agreed to foster innovative, sustainable, job-creating and environmentally friendly projects, develop triangular cooperation with other international actors to encourage a stronger commitment to achieving the goals of the Paris Agreement and collectively advance the global climate agenda.
The EU-Morocco Green Partnership is also one of the Flagships of the European Investment Plan annexed to the Joint Communication on a Renewed European partnership with the Mediterranean. Under the multilateral angle, this Partnership sends an important political signal of shared ambition ahead of COP27.
The EU partnership with Morocco is the deepest and most comprehensive with any country in Africa. It is also an important step in scaling up even further Morocco-EU cooperation on energy, climate and the environment; and accelerating the green transition on both shores of the Mediterranean.
