Rabat: Morocco and the European Union on Thursday launched a £1.25 million institutional twinning project in Rabat aimed at promoting sustainable and resilient forest management across the North African country. The initiative is part of a larger effort to align Morocco’s forestry governance with international standards while supporting adaptation to climate change, biodiversity conservation, and rural development.
According to Agence Marocaine De Presse, the project is part of the EU-funded “Al Ard Al Khadraa – Terre Verte” programme. It reflects the broader EU-Morocco Green Partnership and shared priorities ahead of the upcoming Mediterranean Pact. Abderrahim Houmy, Director General of the National Agency for Water and Forests (ANEF), emphasized the project’s innovative and forward-thinking approach, which focuses on institutional innovation and collaboration.
The initiative supports Morocco’s “Forests of Morocco 2020-2030” strategy, launched under the vision of HM King Mohammed VI. The strategy is built on four main pillars: reforming ANEF’s organizational structure, modernizing the forestry economic model, strengthening skills, and enhancing institutional communication. EU Deputy Ambassador Daniele Dotto noted that this is a first for the forestry sector in Morocco, highlighting the importance of robust institutions for sustainable forestry.
Launched on the International Day for Biodiversity, the project also focuses on peer-to-peer learning and technology transfer. It targets improvements in forest governance, applied research, and the upskilling of forestry professionals, with the EU committing over £65 million in grants to Morocco’s forest sector.