Morocco Environment News Summary for W/b 5th November

Manon Burbidge
HAF Intern- Marrakech
Lund University, Sweden

Eco-Friendly Public Transport in Safi

The urban commune of Safi announced that it would be introducing eco-friendly buses into the city from 1^st January 2019. 45 new buses, which are engineered in Germany and tailored for those with special mobility needs will join the fleet in the new year. The buses will also have WiFi and CCTV on board.

The city hopes to increase the number of new buses to 135 by 2024.

€117m Invested into Sustainable Drinking Water Access

On 7^th November, the African Development Bank approved financing of €117m to enhance the security and sustainability of Moroccan people’s access to safe drinking water. The bank states that this investment is a strategic contribution, due to water being the foundation and starting point for sustainable development.

The beneficiary provinces will be Guercif, Zagora, Tangier, Al Hoceima and Beni Mellal, impacting over 2.5m people.

Morocco Makes Good Progress on SDGs Related to Food Security and Climate Change

The Economic Commission for Africa’s most recent report found that Morocco has integrated the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) into their development strategies, and has done particularly well in relation to climate change and food security.

However, the report also recommends that national priorities are realigned to meet the SDGs across the board, as the Maghreb region faces many complex challenges including industrial transition and youth unemployment. Morocco should also strive to integrate and form partnerships between NGOs, the private sector, government and civil society.

Morocco Launches Campaign to Combat Harassment of Women

On Saturday 10^th November, the Moroccan online movement #Masaktach (I won’t be silent) calls for women in Rabat, Casablanca and Marrakech to carry a whistle with them, and to use them if they are harassed in public or on transport.

The movement was started after widespread outrage over cases of gender-based violence in the country and is helping to shed light on the extent of sexual harassment of women in Morocco.

Morocco’s government recently introduced a law, effective from 12^th September 2018, aiming to eliminate violence against women and giving prison sentences of between 1 & 6 months to sexual harassers in public places. Nevertheless, incidences of discrimination and violence in the country remains high.

Marrakech Plays Host to Global Environment Facility’s International Waters Conference

Between 5-8^th November, the 9^th International Waters Conference (IWC), organised by the Global Environment Facility (GEF) will be held in Marrakech. 300 participants from 80 countries are expected to attend, representing GEF project managers, beneficiary nation representatives, NGOs, UN agencies and the private sector.

2018’s theme is Sustaining International Waters Co-operation, aiming to promote water sustainability and to share best practices.

Africities Youth Forum to be Held in Marrakech

Africities Summit Youth Forum, an event which takes place every three years will be held this year in Marrakech, with an expected 5000 attendees from Africa and the African diaspora.

2018’s theme is centred on the role of local and subnational African governments in the transition towards sustainable cities, placing a special focus on the role of youth in achieving this.

Participants will include leaders, city officials, the private sector, academia and development partners, among others, and is supported by UN Habitat and UNESCO.

The event will take place between 20-24^th November.

Manon is a post-graduate student of Human Ecology at Lund University, Sweden