Rabat – Morocco is participating in the 16th session of the Conference of the Parties (COP16) of the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD).
A delegation, led by the Director General of the National Agency for Water and Forests (ANEF) Abderrahim Houmy, is representing Morocco in the high level conference which is taking place from December 2-13 in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
The conference is a platform for experts to address escalating challenges of desertification, bringing together 197 signatory countries of the UNCCD to think of innovative and concrete solutions.
Through its participation, ANEF will exhibit Morocco’s innovative programs and expertise in the realms of desertification, land degradation and ecosystem preservation.
Morocco’s participation reaffirms its commitment to preserving ecosystems and combating desertification and land degradation, which align with international environmental goals and with the UNCCD and its broader sustainable development agenda.
As these pressing climate crises continue to negatively impact livelihoods, Morocco stands out as a model for other nations through its implementation of practical and scalable solutions to address deforestation-related issues and alleviate climate change.
In 2020, King Mohammed VI launched the comprehensive program “Forests of Morocco 2020-2030,” a new development strategy that focuses on reforestation, sustainable development, and biodiversity. The program aims to solidify various scientific research on forest governance, explore new initiatives to combat climate change, and reduce gender inequalities in Morocco’s forestry sector.
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Another initiative “Ghabti, Hayati” focuses on inclusive forest management involving local communities, promoting reforestation, and enhancing economic opportunities through ecotourism and sustainable forestry practices.
Morocco has integrated various sustainable land-use practices – including agroforestry to combat deforestation while promoting organic farming and sustainable agriculture.
In the 2024 edition of the Nature Conservation Index, a global assessment evaluating nations’ commitment to environmental protection, the North African country ranked 136th out of 180 countries.
Morocco’s forested area covers more than 9 million hectares, with an overall afforestation rate of 8%. The Rif and Middle Atlas regions have the highest reforestation rate at 40% while the southern provinces have the lowest rate at 4%.
