Moroccan Council Tackles Rural Development and Environmental Protection

Morocco's Economic, Social, and Environmental Council (CESE) convened its 184th ordinary general assembly, chaired by President Abdelkader Amara, to deliberate on critical development and environmental issues. The session focused on presenting and discussing two key draft opinions prepared by the council.

The first draft opinion examines the pivotal role of the "douar" – the smallest territorial unit – in rural development. It highlights the douar as the nucleus of social and spatial organization, where familial, social, and cultural ties intersect. The opinion delves into the social, economic, cultural, political, and environmental dimensions of these villages, identifying obstacles to leveraging their potential. It seeks to outline strategies for strengthening the douar's position and functions, acknowledging their diverse characteristics and proposing practical measures for more effective contribution to rural advancement.

The second draft opinion addresses the integration of environmental protection with economic and social development needs, recognizing them as inseparable pillars of any developmental project. This draft proposes measures for preventing environmental harm and embedding environmental and climate considerations into public policies. The goal is to preserve natural capital, ensure a healthy living environment, and foster resilient, sustainable development.

These discussions build upon the CESE's previous work concerning biodiversity, forest ecosystems, water resource management, quarries, the blue and circular economies, and the water-energy-food-ecosystems nexus. The council's efforts underscore a commitment to addressing climate change, energy transition, and food waste reduction, aiming for a more sustainable and robust future for Morocco.