Agadir – Morocco and Finland are seeking to strengthen cooperation on circular economy solutions, with a focus on water and waste management, following a bilateral dialogue held today in Rabat.
The Embassy of Finland in Morocco and the Moroccan Association for Drinking Water and Sanitation (AMEPA) organized the first edition of the Morocco-Finland Circular Economy Dialogue 2026 at the headquarters of the National Office of Electricity and Drinking Water (ONEE).
The meeting brought together more than 100 representatives from the public and private sectors, academia, public utilities, and development partners from both countries to exchange expertise, present innovative solutions, and identify opportunities for cooperation.
Marjaana Sall, Finland’s ambassador to Morocco and Mauritania, and Tarik Hamane, president of AMEPA and director general of ONEE, chaired the event.
Discussions focused on circular economy governance, water and waste management, and lessons from Finland’s circular economy roadmap. Participants also explored concrete and sustainable projects that could strengthen cooperation between the two countries.
Speaking at the event, Sall emphasized the importance of international cooperation in developing circular economy models.
“No government, company, or country can build a circular economy alone. The challenges are shared, and value chains extend beyond borders. This is precisely why dialogues like today’s are so important,” the ambassador said.
She also welcomed the quality of economic relations between Morocco and Finland, highlighting the importance of initiatives that bring together stakeholders from both countries.
Morocco focuses on water reuse and efficiency
Hamane stressed the importance of adopting circular economy principles in water management, arguing that stakeholders should view water not only as a resource to preserve but also as one from which value can be recovered throughout its use cycle.
He pointed to the reuse of treated wastewater, improved water network efficiency, and digital technologies as potential solutions to strengthen water management.
Hamane also emphasized the need to adapt these approaches to Morocco’s specific needs and circumstances.
The dialogue provided a platform for Moroccan and Finnish stakeholders to share their experiences and identify solutions that could support more sustainable resource management.
Building on bilateral water cooperation
The dialogue follows broader efforts by Morocco and Finland to strengthen cooperation in water management and sustainable technologies.
In June, the two countries launched a joint water cooperation group to promote technical collaboration and business partnerships in the sector. The initiative identified groundwater expertise, dam management, and wastewater recycling as priority areas for cooperation.
Morocco’s Minister of Equipment and Water, Nizar Baraka, and Finland’s Minister of Agriculture and Forestry, Sari Essayah signed the agreement during Baraka’s official visit to Finland.
The cooperation group also seeks to connect Moroccan stakeholders with Finnish companies specializing in water technologies, creating opportunities to exchange expertise and develop practical solutions to water management challenges.
Read also: Morocco, Finland Launch Joint Water Cooperation Group
