Speaking to MAP on the sidelines of a workshop on the circular economy organized in Tunis by the Africa 21 Association, Degron remarked that “thanks to the enlightened vision of His Majesty King Mohammed VI, significant strides have been made in ecological transition, enabling the implementation of long-term policies,” which positions Morocco as a “true model in the region.”
Highlighting Morocco’s efforts through ambitious initiatives addressing environmental challenges such as water stress, climate change, and coastal erosion, he emphasized that Morocco is “a reliable partner of Plan Bleu, advancing steadily on the path of ecological transition and an exceptionally compelling case study in the Mediterranean region.”
Plan Bleu, a key body within the United Nations system for sustainable development in the Mediterranean, aims to foster regional cooperation on environmental issues. “We are conducting a project in Northern Morocco, thanks to fruitful collaboration with the government, local authorities, and stakeholders, to support public policies with technical tools and international funding,” explained the UN official.
Recognizing the magnitude of environmental challenges, Morocco, with funding from the Global Environment Facility (GEF), launched a project three years ago, led by Plan Bleu, focused on coastal zone management in the Tangier-Tetouan-Al Hoceima region, covering nearly 400 kilometers of Mediterranean coastline, Degron detailed.
This project has mobilized international expertise, “notably in partnership with our colleagues in Croatia, to assist local actors in defining a coastal zone management strategy,” he noted, commending the commitment of Moroccan decentralized entities, without which territorial implementation of projects would not be possible.
The initiative has concentrated on developing concrete, tailored solutions considering coastal evolution scenarios, said the Director of Plan Bleu. These solutions include creating water expansion zones, restoring wetlands, and, in some cases, constructing dikes.
“This is meticulous planning work, segment by segment, aimed at mitigating the impacts of climate change while promoting nature-based solutions,” he explained, asserting that the results of this collaboration are already evident through operational coastal zone planning in the region.
On a regional scale, Degron stressed the importance of integrated coastal zone management, a key concept of the Barcelona Convention, which Morocco is already applying successfully. He noted that “the Moroccan approach should serve as a model for other Mediterranean countries, some of which remain stagnant.”
In urban planning, Degron praised Morocco’s clear vision and level of planning, highlighting the country’s strong planning tradition and the significant role institutions such as the National School of Architecture in Rabat play in training local talent.
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