Italy's Strategic Support for Morocco's Water Management
In a significant move aimed at bolstering Morocco's water management capabilities, Italy has announced a policy-based sovereign financing initiative that grants up to €100 million in concessional terms to the Moroccan government. This funding is sourced from the Italian Climate Fund and is designed to support the comprehensive Programme in support of the National Water Strategy. The initiative exemplifies a collaborative effort under the Team Europe approach, with a total investment of €347.3 million. This partnership is spearheaded by the Joint European Financiers for International Cooperation (JEFIC), which includes contributions from the French development agency, Agence Française de Développement (AFD), and the German development bank, Kreditanstalt für Wiederaufbau (KfW), along with backing from the European Commission.
The primary goal of this programme is to assist the Moroccan government in executing essential legislative and regulatory reforms. It also aims to facilitate specialized studies and civil engineering projects to ensure that both surface and groundwater resources are managed in an integrated and sustainable manner. This approach is expected to enhance the climate resilience of Morocco's national water system, while also embedding the principles of gender equality into the framework of water resource management.
Comprehensive Actions to Address Water Scarcity
The support initiative is structured around four key action axes that encompass 17 specific reforms and interventions, all tailored to meet the priority needs of the Moroccan government and aligned with the objectives of the National Water Strategy. These actions seek to improve the understanding of water resources, assess the impacts of climate change, and promote an integrated management strategy for extreme hydrological events, including droughts and floods. Furthermore, the initiative emphasizes the conservation of both water resources and biodiversity, thereby strengthening the tools necessary for resilient, inclusive management of water resources. Additionally, it aims to enhance the governance framework supporting national water policy implementation.
The proposed reforms are crucial for combating water scarcity in Morocco by fostering a deeper understanding of the territory and the current water stress challenges. They also involve the establishment of a regulatory framework along with targeted interventions to safeguard water resources in terms of both quality and quantity. The financing provided by the Italian Climate Fund aligns seamlessly with Morocco's national priorities, as outlined in key programmatic documents that adhere to international conventions.
Beyond the National Water Strategy, the Moroccan government underscores the strategic significance of water resources, placing sustainable and climate-resilient management at the forefront of the National Sustainable Development Strategy (SNDD), which was approved by the King in 2017. This commitment is further reinforced by the New Development Model (NMD) adopted in 2021, which advocates for the conservation of natural resources, enhancement of regional resilience to climate change, and the protection of limited water resources for both present and future generations.
As reported by governo.it.
