Discussions Between Morocco and Mali Pave the Way for Strategic Partnerships in Environmental Protection and Sustainable Development
On Thursday, Leila Benali, Minister of Energy Transition and Sustainable Development, held extensive discussions via video conference with her Malian counterpart, Mariam Tangara Dombia, Minister of Environment, Sanitation and Sustainable Development. The talks focused on ways to enhance cooperation between Rabat and Bamako in the fields of environment, climate change, and sustainable development.
The meeting underscored Africa’s centrality in Morocco’s strategic choices, with Benali emphasizing that, under the guidance of King Mohammed VI, the Kingdom is building effective South-South partnerships based on solidarity and tangible outcomes. She highlighted Moroccan initiatives on the continent, particularly the "Royal Atlantic Initiative for Sahel Countries" and Mali’s participation in the "Climate Committee for the Sahel Region," which serves as a key platform for coordinating regional efforts to tackle climate change.
The Moroccan minister called for the activation of practical partnerships that include the sharing of expertise, technology transfer, and capacity building, focusing on innovative solutions for climate adaptation. She also acknowledged the previous cooperation between the two countries, especially during Morocco’s presidency of the United Nations Environment Assembly.
In turn, the Malian minister praised Morocco’s experience in energy transition, climate financing, and environmental policy governance, expressing her country’s desire to benefit from this experience, particularly in waste management, training system development, and renewable energy.
She also highlighted the environmental challenges faced by Mali, including the energy crisis, water pollution, and agricultural degradation, emphasizing the need for innovative approaches based on a circular economy that converts waste into energy and fertilizers for sustainable agriculture.
Benali affirmed Morocco’s readiness to support Mali in these efforts, pointing to the importance of involving Moroccan stakeholders, such as the OCP Group, through its academic and research institutions like Mohammed VI Polytechnic University and InnoVx, in fostering innovation in sustainable agriculture and soil management.
The agreement between the two sides included expediting technical coordination between the ministries, paving the way for the signing of a joint cooperation framework in the near future and launching field projects that enhance climate adaptation, waste valorization, and the development of a circular economy, reflecting the two countries’ commitment to establishing a strategic partnership based on sustainability and climate sovereignty.
