Morocco and eu launch 3.7 billion dh water program to combat climate change
Morocco EU water partnership: 3.7 billion DH climate action
Through this extensive partnership, Morocco and the European Union are transforming their political commitments into tangible actions, addressing one of the 21st century’s most critical strategic challenges.
The inaugural ceremony saw the participation of the Ministry of Economy and Finance, alongside delegates from the European partner nations. This groundbreaking program aligns with the «Équipe Europe» strategy, designed to synchronize the efforts of the European Union and its member states on crucial strategic projects.
The financial structure comprises 514.4 million Dirhams in grants from the European Union, supplemented by nearly 3.2 billion Dirhams in concessional loans. These loans are provided by three prominent European financial institutions: Germany’s KfW development bank, Italy’s Cassa Depositi e Prestiti (CDP), and the Agence Française de Développement (AFD), which leads the overall initiative.
This program is designed to support Morocco in executing its national water policy, focusing on four primary areas: enhancing understanding of water resources in the face of climate change impacts; strengthening the management of extreme weather events like droughts and floods; safeguarding groundwater reserves; and bolstering the institutional capacities of stakeholders within the water sector.
A substantial technical assistance component will underpin the achievement of these goals, simultaneously fostering the exchange of expertise between Moroccan and European partners.
Speaking at the event, Nizar Baraka, the Minister of Equipment and Water, emphasized that water represents both a vital heritage to be safeguarded for future generations and a critical issue of national sovereignty, prioritized at the highest echelons of the state.
Confronted with recurring drought episodes impacting the Kingdom, the Minister reiterated Morocco’s proactive strategy, which involves anticipation and decisive action, progressively transforming its water management paradigm. He asserted that this new program would significantly enhance the nation’s resilience against climate change effects and ensure the sustainable management of its water resources.
From the European Union’s perspective, this initiative underscores its commitment to assisting Morocco in the sustainable stewardship of its natural resources. Dimiter Tzantchev, the EU Ambassador to Morocco, stated that the program fully aligns with the core tenets of the Morocco-EU Green Partnership and the Pact for the Mediterranean. These frameworks prioritize climate resilience and water management at the heart of Euro-Mediterranean cooperation. He further highlighted that the «Équipe Europe» approach facilitates the mobilization of additional financial and technical resources to deliver tangible solutions for shared climate challenges.
Like the broader Mediterranean basin, Morocco faces escalating pressure on its water resources. From 2017 to 2025, the Kingdom experienced multiple severe drought periods, while water demand consistently rose due to demographic growth and economic development.
This latest program therefore bolsters ongoing efforts already underway as part of the National Water Plan and the 2020-2027 National Drinking Water Supply and Irrigation Program (PNAEPI).
The ambassadors from Germany, Italy, and France collectively lauded this initiative, predicting it will serve as a benchmark for regional cooperation.
Germany, through KfW, will direct its support towards climate change adaptation and the safeguarding of groundwater tables. Italy will contribute its specialized knowledge in water resource management and champion gender equality within the sector. France, via the AFD, will oversee the effective implementation of the program, ensuring the integration of climate resilience and gender equality considerations.