Rabat, July 30, 2024, The Europe Today: In a speech marking the 25th anniversary of his ascension to the throne, King Mohammed VI highlighted the pressing issue of water scarcity in Morocco, emphasizing the need for innovative solutions and improved governance to address the challenge.
“The challenges facing our country require us to redouble our efforts and vigilance,” the King stated. “One of these major challenges is the issue of water, which is becoming increasingly complex due to drought, climate change, and rising demand.”
Morocco, with its long history of water management, is now at a critical juncture. Six consecutive years of drought have significantly impacted water reserves and groundwater levels, particularly in rural areas. “This situation can also be attributed to delays in the completion of certain water policy projects,” the King acknowledged, urging the government and local authorities to implement urgent and innovative measures to prevent water shortages.
King Mohammed VI highlighted Morocco’s declining water availability, which has dropped from 2,000 cubic meters per capita in 1960 to less than 600 cubic meters today. This alarming trend signifies a state of water stress, making it imperative for Morocco to adapt its water management strategies for sustainability.
At the COP15 conference on desertification and drought in Abidjan in 2022, the King emphasized the reality of climate change and its impact on Morocco. “Climate change is not a theoretical subject or an object of rhetorical debate,” he asserted, pointing to increasingly frequent and severe droughts.
In his speech, the King stressed the importance of the National Program for Drinking Water Supply and Irrigation 2020-2027, which has alleviated some of the water challenges. He called for continuous updates to national water policy to ensure all citizens have access to drinking water and that at least 80% of irrigation needs are met.
The agricultural sector, consuming 87% of Morocco’s water resources, poses a significant challenge. Despite water-intensive practices and inefficient irrigation methods, the sector’s economic output remains low. The King called for accelerated implementation of major water transfer projects between hydraulic basins and the construction of seawater desalination plants.
“In line with our proactive and ambitious Strategic Vision, we call for accelerated implementation of major water transfer projects,” the King announced. These projects, including connecting various basins and harnessing previously lost water, aim to balance national water distribution.
The King also emphasized the need to expedite the construction of seawater desalination plants, aiming to mobilize over 1.7 billion cubic meters annually by 2030. Highlighting the Casablanca desalination plant, the largest in Africa and the second largest in the world powered entirely by clean energy, the King emphasized the need for renewable energy projects to support desalination efforts.
He called for the development of a national water desalination industry, specialized training programs, and the creation of national companies for desalination plant construction and maintenance.
“No negligence, no delay, no mismanagement will be tolerated in an issue as crucial as water,” the King declared, stressing the urgency of addressing water scarcity for Morocco’s future.
