Water Management in Morocco: A Reinforced Integrated Strategy
Thanks to the strategic vision of His Majesty King Mohammed VI, Morocco has begun a new phase of mobilizing and sustainably managing its water resources, grounded in an integrated system that combines innovation, resilience, and sustainability, affirmed Nizar Baraka, the Minister of Equipment and Water, on Monday in Marrakech.
Speaking at the opening of the 19th World Water Congress, which runs until December 5 under the theme “Water in a Changing World: Innovation and Adaptation”, the minister emphasized that this national approach relies on several key levers: seawater desalination, dam construction, wastewater reuse, artificial aquifer recharge, digitization of the sector, and the adoption of regional water contracts.
Nizar Baraka specified that the Kingdom is currently implementing a renewed strategy, supported by master plans for integrated water resource management covering all hydraulic basins with a target date of 2050. These plans form the foundation of the National Water Plan, a comprehensive roadmap aimed at ensuring a harmonious convergence between the state, regions, local authorities, and economic stakeholders.
According to the data presented, 17 desalination stations are already operational with a total annual capacity of 350.3 million cubic meters, while four additional units, totaling 567 million cubic meters, are under construction. Eleven more projects, intended for drinking water, irrigation, and industrial uses, will bring the overall capacity to 1.7 billion cubic meters by 2030, leveraging renewable energy sources to ensure the sustainability of the system.
The minister also highlighted the transition to an integrated model of “water-energy-food”, an innovative framework aimed at connecting these three strategic sectors and ensuring a direct and positive impact on citizens’ daily lives.
The discussion also addressed measures adopted to improve water management in agriculture, the use of treated wastewater for green spaces, and initiatives developed to benefit the industrial sector.
Nizar Baraka stressed that current water challenges are not just simple fluctuations but represent a new reality requiring innovation, creativity, and smart governance. He pointed out that this edition of the World Water Congress serves as a key opportunity to propose innovative solutions and concrete recommendations.
Co-organized under the High Patronage of His Majesty King Mohammed VI, this congress brings together experts, policymakers, researchers, civil society, and private sector actors to explore strategies, present scientific work, and develop partnerships aimed at enhancing governance, water security, and sustainability at a global level.
The program notably includes a ministerial roundtable, four high-level panels, over 140 technical sessions led by international experts, as well as an exhibition space dedicated to innovative water technologies.
The event will conclude with the Marrakech Declaration, a collective call to strengthen the link between science, political decision-making, and action, and to accelerate international mobilization for water preservation.
