SIAM 2025: France and Italy Advocate for a Strengthened and Sustainable Agricultural Partnership with Morocco

French Minister Delegate for Europe, Benjamin Haddad, emphasized the importance of strengthening expertise exchange and agricultural know-how transfer between France and Morocco on Tuesday in Meknès. His remarks came during the opening of a high-level international conference held as part of the 17th edition of the International Agricultural Show in Morocco (SIAM), where France is the guest of honor.

Mr. Haddad stressed the need to develop bilateral technical cooperation in a context marked by crucial challenges such as food sovereignty, climate change, and the preservation of natural resources. He asserted that pooling skills and innovation would allow for the emergence of concrete, sustainable solutions tailored to the specificities of local territories.

The minister also praised the dynamic nature of Franco-Moroccan exchanges, particularly in the agricultural sector, describing France’s selection as the guest of honor at SIAM as recognition of a robust and strategic partnership.

Additionally, he expressed hope that this conference would help outline the contours of an ambitious partnership, positioning Franco-Moroccan cooperation as a driving force for integration across the Mediterranean region.

Italian Minister of Agriculture, Food Sovereignty, and Forests, Francesco Lollobrigida, called for balanced cooperation between Europe and Africa in order to jointly tackle challenges related to food security, water, and climate change.

He highlighted the importance of a development model based on equality and complementarity, emphasizing Africa’s central role in global dynamics. Mr. Lollobrigida also advocated for better synergy between European research capabilities and Africa’s human and natural potential.

He praised the fruitful cooperation between Italy and Morocco, particularly in water resource management, through various agreements and scientific initiatives, stating that while agriculture is a water-intensive sector, it must also be viewed as a guarantor of sustainability and food security.

The inaugural session of this conference, themed “Water Management for Sustainable and Resilient Agriculture”, was opened by Ahmed El Bouari, the Minister of Agriculture, Maritime Fisheries, Rural Development, and Water and Forests. It also featured contributions from Nizar Baraka, the Minister of Equipment and Water, and Loïc Fauchon, President of the World Water Council.

Held under the High Patronage of His Majesty King Mohammed VI, the 2025 edition of SIAM will gather 1,500 exhibitors from 70 countries from April 21 to 27, under the theme “Agriculture and the Rural World: Water at the Heart of Sustainable Development”. As a true crossroads for agricultural policies, this show serves as a pivotal moment to foster exchanges, strengthen international partnerships, and explore concrete solutions to the major challenges facing the agricultural sector.