Morocco Enhances Governance Framework for Critical Risk Management

Strengthening Governance to Anticipate Risks

Morocco is progressively enhancing its governance framework for managing critical risks, as highlighted in the latest report by the OECD. The report, titled "Tracking Progress in the Governance of Critical Risks," published on September 4, 2026, emphasizes the establishment of a Chief Risk Officer position within the Ministry of Interior, the development of a national risk observatory, and the ongoing commitment to implementing its recommendations. This strategic shift aims to transition from a reactive stance to a proactive approach in risk management.

Recognized by the OECD for its initiatives in organizing critical risk management, Morocco is among the countries making significant strides in this area. The OECD's report underscores how countries are moving beyond mere disaster management to incorporate anticipation and management of risks that could impact infrastructure, public finances, supply chains, and social cohesion. The report notes that while many countries now possess national risk assessments and coordination mechanisms, challenges remain. Available analyses are not always utilized to set priorities, guide investments, or enhance preparedness. Furthermore, forecasting tools and monitoring systems are often insufficiently linked to public decision-making, which is where Morocco's example becomes pertinent.

The Role of the Chief Risk Officer

The report further highlights Morocco's Ministry of Interior for creating a Chief Risk Officer role tasked with coordinating disaster risk management across various government levels. This role is supported by specialized experts in critical risk analysis, who play a key part in prioritizing investments. This approach transforms risk analysis into a decision-making tool rather than merely a technical exercise. It addresses a major challenge: risks often transcend administrative boundaries, meaning that a single event can affect infrastructure, the environment, health, transportation, and supply chains. By pooling expertise, Morocco aims to prevent fragmented management of such threats.

Additionally, the Moroccan framework incorporates a significant data-centric dimension. The OECD indicates that a team of experts is working on establishing a National Risk Observatory designed to aggregate data on various hazards from scientific organizations. This initiative aligns with the OECD's findings that governments must now think in terms of interconnected and multiple risks. A single shock can disrupt infrastructure, disorganize supply chains, and strain public finances. For Morocco, the observatory aims to bridge scientific data with preparedness and investment decisions, thereby transforming risk information into a tool for anticipation.

Morocco's commitment to transparency, accountability, and learning post-crisis is also noted in the OECD report. The kingdom has undergone a peer review, and the OECD emphasizes the follow-up on recommendations made during this process. As part of the Morocco country programme, a work programme has been developed to strengthen national capacities for disaster risk management. Morocco stands among the countries that have utilized the OECD's recommendations to evaluate their policies, revise their legislation, and reorganize their risk management institutions.

However, the establishment of a coordination structure alone does not guarantee the effectiveness of the framework. Among 27 respondents to the follow-up on the recommendations, 20 reported having created a central institution or agency responsible for critical risk governance. The OECD calls for better integration of emerging risks, particularly those related to climate change, supply chain vulnerabilities, hybrid threats, and technology. Proactive measures must be taken to identify these threats before crises occur.

For Morocco, the challenge now lies in harmonizing the various components identified by the OECD: coordination, scientific expertise, data, anticipation, and investment. The Chief Risk Officer and the future observatory are foundational elements of this strategy. Their effectiveness will depend on their ability to influence public decision-making. As Morocco transitions from reaction to anticipation, it showcases a significant evolution in its risk governance. The kingdom is equipped with a coordinating role within the Ministry of Interior, specialized teams to inform investments, and a project for an observatory aimed at consolidating data. Coupled with the follow-up on recommendations from the OECD's peer review, the next challenge will be to cultivate a genuine culture of anticipation.

In conclusion, the OECD report outlines a fundamental shift in perspective: risk management is no longer solely about reaction but encompasses governance, data, and resource allocation. For Morocco, the priority will be to transform institutional progress identified by the OECD into operational capabilities that can act before a crisis arises. Prevention thus becomes a central component of national resilience against emerging and escalating risks.

As reported by leseco.ma.