Morocco, USA ink 2024-2027 cooperation action plan on environment, sustainable development

Morocco and the United States have signed the fourth cooperation action plan in the fields of environment and sustainable development, covering the 2024-2027 period.

The plan, initialed in Rabat on Wednesday by Minister of Energy Transition and Sustainable Development, Leila Benali, and the US Ambassador to Morocco, Puneet Talwar, aims to bolster the two parties’ joint efforts and contribution to achieving Morocco’s objectives as outlined in the National Sustainable Development Strategy and the New Development Model.

The action plan focuses on four priority areas for both parties: “environmental laws and regulations,” “climate change, green growth, and green economy,” “biodiversity conservation and protected area management,” and “environmental education and transparency.”

Benali told the press that the signing of this action plan would strengthen cooperation between Rabat and Washington in the fields of biodiversity, environmental protection, sustainable development, and energy transition.

The main aim, she said, is to “promote training and encourage the involvement of civil society and the general public in major environmental projects, especially as the Kingdom is preparing to launch structural projects in various fields.”

This collaboration, she continued, will provide a substantial contribution to tackling various challenges associated with water scarcity and green hydrogen.

Echoing her, the US diplomat applauded the close partnership between his country and Morocco, and recognized the Kingdom’s “leadership” in the strategic domain of renewable energy.

This is a, accurate and detailed action plan that will cover a number of areas, from the application of environmental laws and the protection of endangered species to the fight against plastic pollution and the improvement of air quality, explained Puneet Talwar, who stressed the importance of involving citizens in these initiatives alongside governments.

In 2004, Morocco and the United States signed a Joint Statement on Environmental Cooperation. The implementation of this Statement is notably reflected in the establishment of action plans drawn up and validated by the Environment Working Group (EWG) created for this purpose. Three action plans were signed and implemented between 2005 and 2017.

Besides, the two countries have signed several agreements, notably in the fields of economy, defense, security, the fight against terrorism and extremism, diplomacy, energy, trade, investment, scientific and technological research, education, culture, and sports.