Rabat – In an effort to strengthen ties and confront shared challenges, the Finnish Water Forum has sent a delegation for a high-profile trade mission in Morocco that began on January 30 and will last until February 1.
With a primary focus on sustainable water resource management, the delegation, composed of top experts and companies from Finland’s water sector, aspires to fortify the burgeoning ties between Finland and Morocco.
Morocco’s water crisis and the urgency for sustainable solutions
As Morocco grapples with the far-reaching impacts of climate change and escalating water stress, the impending water crisis looms large on the horizon.
Ambassador of Finland to Morocco, Marjaana Sall
According to a 2022 World Bank report, the nation, already among the most water-scarce globally, is hurtling towards the ominous absolute water scarcity threshold of 500 cubic meters per person per year by 2030.
This impending crisis threatens to affect nearly every facet of Morocco’s socioeconomic development.
Amid this crisis entersFinland, a nation positioned as a relatively affluent country with a unique advantage—a wealth of water resources. Finland boasts abundant surface waters, including 187,888 lakes and large ponds, as well as rivers totaling 25,000km in length, covering more than 10% of the country.
With water resources amounting to 21,000 cubic meters per capita, Finland emerges as a natural ally for nations facing water scarcity.
Eija Rotinen, Finnish ambassador for trade and head of the trade delegation
Representatives from the delegation attended a networking event in Rabat where they met with Morocco World News (MWN) to discuss the partnership.
In an interview with MWN, Ambassador of Finland to Morocco, Marjaana Sall, emphasized the shared challenges and interests between the two nations. “With Morocco, we have…ongoing economic, political, and economic dialogue. We have trade relations. We share a lot of common interests and commonalities in the global arena,” she said.
Finnish expertise: A beacon of hope for Morocco
The Finnish Water Forum, in collaboration with Business Finland and the Embassy of Finland in Rabat, is spearheading the delegation that seeks to address Morocco’s water challenges.
Karim Ali, MENA Regional Manager at Finnish Water Forum
In a conversation with MWN, Eija Rotinen, Finnish ambassador for trade and head of the trade delegation, highlighted the comprehensive solutions approach, involving over 130 companies, private entities, ministries, institutions, and universities.
She underlined the multifaceted expertise brought by the Finnish delegation, saying that the trade mission is not merely a diplomatic gesture; it is a strategic move to foster mutual understanding and cooperation.
Ambassador Rotinen also outlined to MWN the mission’s objectives, emphasizing knowledge exchange and collaboration. “We are here to look for opportunities for cooperation between Morocco and Finland, between companies and other actors.
The delegation is set to engage in dialogues and explore collaboration opportunities in key Moroccan cities—Rabat, Casablanca, and Marrakech.
Reception at Finnish residence in Rabat
The Finnish participants of the delegation, including Savonia University of Applied Sciences, DEWACO, Biobros, and Vaisala, are geared to showcase innovations in wastewater treatment, smart water management, and managed aquifer recharge.
Identifying opportunities for collaboration
MWN also spoke with Karim Ali, MENA Regional Manager at Finnish Water Forum, who shed light on the potential areas of cooperation identified during the mission. These include projects also related to dam safety and maintenance, wastewater treatment, desalination mega-plans, aquifer management, and training and research.
He expressed enthusiasm about Morocco’s ambitious plans for constructing ten more desalination plants by 2030, indicating the scope for collaboration in this crucial area.
The alignment of these offerings with Morocco’s current market opportunities, coupled with its modern infrastructure and strategic position in North and West Africa, underscores the potential for impactful collaborations.
Karim Ali, MENA Regional Manager at Finnish Water Forum (left) and Eija Rotinen, Finnish ambassador for trade and head of the trade delegation (Right)
The trade mission serves not only as a platform for showcasing Finnish innovations but also as a forum for in-depth discussions, knowledge exchange, and the formation of strategic partnerships.
A win-win situation: the path forward
In the pursuit of sustainable solutions for Morocco’s water challenges, Finland brings its advanced expertise in water-related circular economy practices, digital technologies for smart water management, and sustainable industrial water solutions to the table.
The initiative is well underway. In the interview with MWN Karim Ali mentioned that the specific projects relating to training and research have already been identified and that “we are very keen on cooperating together on these topics.”
Morocco’s commitment to finding sustainable solutions aligns seamlessly with Finland’s wealth of experience and cutting-edge technologies in the water sector.
Finnish Water Forum delegation in Morocco
The Finland-Morocco Water Partnership signifies more than a bilateral collaboration; it represents a shared commitment to addressing global challenges, particularly those related to water scarcity and climate change.
As the trade mission unfolds, the stage is set for a win-win situation, where both nations stand to benefit from the exchange of knowledge, technologies, and collaborative efforts in the vital domain of water resource management.
