Collaborative Efforts to Enhance Nature Conservation in Morocco
On June 23, the IUCN Centre for Mediterranean Cooperation (IUCN Med) organized an online working meeting in collaboration with the IUCN National Committee of Morocco. This gathering aimed to reflect on the progress made over the past two years, explore new collaboration opportunities, and prepare for significant international events, notably the IUCN World Congress on Protected and Conserved Areas scheduled to take place in Panama in September 2027. The meeting fostered a spirit of dialogue and cooperation among representatives from IUCN Med and multiple members of the Moroccan National Committee, with a clear goal of enhancing the role of the IUCN network within Morocco and amplifying initiatives aimed at nature conservation.
A pivotal announcement made during the meeting was the Moroccan National Committee's recent achievement of obtaining **legal status as an officially recognized association** by Moroccan authorities. This development represents a significant advancement in bolstering its institutional capabilities and extending its influence within the environmental sector.
One of the highlights included a presentation by **Mr. Brahim Haddane**, the President of the Moroccan National Committee, who detailed the accomplishments of the Committee’s institutional strengthening project, which has been supported financially by IUCN Med. Over the last two years, the Committee has reached critical milestones that empower it to adopt a more proactive stance in Morocco’s environmental landscape. Key achievements include the formulation of a **strategic vision and a 2030 action plan**, the revision of the Committee’s statutes, the adoption of a governance charter, and the establishment of internal regulations.
Additionally, the project has successfully increased member engagement through a series of national and regional workshops conducted across various Moroccan regions. These sessions have not only broadened the Committee’s network but also fortified exchanges among experts and heightened awareness of its role within public institutions, universities, civil society organizations, and local authorities. The Committee has now expanded to **17 members**, gaining recognition as a vital network of expertise in support of biodiversity conservation and sustainable development.
“This project has created new momentum among Committee members and laid the foundations needed to strengthen our work in the years ahead,” stated **Brahim Haddane**.
Enhancing Communication and Visibility of Conservation Initiatives
The meeting served as a platform to discuss enhancing communication strategies between IUCN Med and the Moroccan National Committee. A presentation showcased IUCN Med’s communication tools, emphasizing the significance of elevating the visibility of members’ initiatives, field projects, and successful conservation stories throughout Morocco. Participants identified various collaborative avenues, including publishing articles in the _Members Stories_ section on the IUCN Med website, sharing content via social media, contributing to regional newsletters, and promoting field experiences and success stories from members. To facilitate this cooperation, the Moroccan National Committee committed to appointing a communications focal point responsible for coordinating with the IUCN Med communications team to gather and disseminate information regarding members' activities and field results.
Looking toward the future, the final segment of the meeting concentrated on preparations for the IUCN World Congress on Protected and Conserved Areas, set to occur in Panama from September 4 to 10, 2027. **Maher Mahjoub**, Director of IUCN Med, outlined the primary objectives for this global event, which will convene governments, experts, civil society organizations, Indigenous Peoples, and managers of protected areas worldwide.
Discussions underscored the necessity of ensuring a robust Moroccan presence at this international forum, highlighting the importance of showcasing Morocco’s experiences in areas like protected area governance, marine conservation, ecosystem restoration, Nature-based Solutions, and community participation. Several participants emphasized the need to amplify the voices of southern Mediterranean countries and the African continent in global conservation dialogues. In light of this, the Moroccan National Committee aims to embark on a collaborative process in the coming months to identify key priorities, document field experiences, and develop a unified stance reflecting Morocco’s realities, challenges, and opportunities.
As the meeting concluded, participants reaffirmed their commitment to ongoing communication through regular meetings and the development of new joint initiatives. Ideas for future collaboration included organizing webinars involving multiple Mediterranean National Committees, facilitating the exchange of best practices among IUCN Members, and creating joint communication initiatives focused on critical conservation issues. This renewed momentum signifies the shared dedication of IUCN Med and the Moroccan National Committee to bolster collective action for nature conservation in Morocco and the Mediterranean region.
As reported by iucn.org.
