Latest news with #MinistryofEquipmentandWater
Morocco World
30-05-2025
- Business
- Morocco World
Morocco's El Jadida to Host First International Port Ecosystem Salon in 2026
Doha – The first edition of the International Salon for Ports and their Ecosystem (SIPORTS) will take place from February 5-7, 2026, at the Mohammed VI Complex in El Jadida. Organized under the aegis of the Ministry of Equipment and Water by LINECO Events, this pioneering event aims to position Morocco as a strategic hub in global maritime trade. The salon will bring together more than 300 exhibitors from four continents and expects to welcome around 6,000 professional visitors. SIPORTS will be structured around five thematic pavilions: institutional, port industry, operations, scientific and academic, along with a museum dedicated to ports. Nizar Baraka, Minister of Equipment and Water, views the event as perfectly aligned with Morocco's maritime strategy. 'This initiative is perfectly aligned with the great momentum the port and maritime sector is experiencing, driven by the orientations of King Mohammed VI, aimed at strengthening Morocco's position as an essential maritime hub on both Mediterranean and Atlantic coasts,' said Baraka. Read also: Dakhla Atlantic Port and N'Djamena Corridor: Pivotal Game Changers in Africa's Economic Landscape He added that creating an exchange platform that brings together all stakeholders to discuss challenges and opportunities, accompanied by spaces dedicated to innovation and new technologies, 'perfectly addresses the challenges of modernization and sustainable development of our port infrastructure.' Mohcine Berrada, president of LINECO Events and organizer of this first edition, described SIPORTS as 'an international crossroads of expertise and solutions for the future.' 'Our ambition is to respond to the crucial challenges of performance, connectivity, innovation, and sustainability that are reshaping the map of global maritime trade today,' said Berrada. The event will feature an ambitious program of conferences, expert panels, international keynotes, and technical workshops. These sessions will create a space for strategic reflection and concrete exchanges to address the profound changes in the sector. Topics will include structuring new maritime routes, smart ports, eco-responsible infrastructure, and strengthened regional cooperation. Consolidating Morocco's global maritime leadership By promoting B2C and B2B meetings and showcasing innovative solutions, SIPORTS seeks to consolidate Morocco's position as an essential maritime hub in Africa and beyond. The event shows Morocco's growing stature as a pivotal force in global maritime commerce. Tanger Med port, the country's flagship maritime infrastructure, recently secured 17th place worldwide in the latest Alphaliner report of top global container ports. In 2024, Tanger Med handled 10.24 million twenty-foot equivalent units (TEUs), a significant increase from 8.61 million TEUs the year before. This growth has propelled the Moroccan port ahead of established global players like Hamburg (24th with 7.82 million TEUs) and Jakarta (27th with 6.75 million TEUs). Tanger Med is now the only port in the Mediterranean and Africa to rank among the top 30 ports worldwide. The port finished the 2024 fiscal year with a revenue of $1.212 billion, a marked increase of 12.3% compared to 2023. Santiago J. Castella Surribas, president of the Port of Tarragona in Spain, recently noted that Morocco has made remarkable developments in its port infrastructure over the past 25 years, modernizing to secure a key position in international trade. Spanish media have also expressed concerns that Morocco's port performance has been outpacing major Spanish hubs such as Algeciras, Valencia, and Barcelona since King Mohammed VI inaugurated Tanger Med in 2007. The North African country is also counting on the Atlantic Port of Dakhla to provide Sahel-Saharan countries secure access to the Atlantic Ocean. The project, expected to be operational by 2029, will process up to 35 million tons of cargo annually and serve as a key gateway connecting Africa to European and American markets.
Jordan News
27-05-2025
- Politics
- Jordan News
Jordanian Ministry of Water and Irrigation Delegation Reviews Morocco's Experience in Desalination - Jordan News
A delegation from Jordan's Ministry of Water and Irrigation, headed by the Secretary-General Dr. Jihad Al-Mahamid, visited the Moroccan Ministry of Equipment and Water to explore Morocco's experience in water desalination. The visit, which included field tours to several desalination plants and water facilities, aimed to strengthen cooperation frameworks and exchange expertise in water resource management between the two brotherly countries. اضافة اعلان Dr. Al-Mahamid stated that the visit included several meetings and site visits, all part of a joint cooperation program to benefit from Morocco's experience in desalination. He also highlighted Jordan's efforts in tackling increasing water challenges in recent years, with per capita water share dropping below 60 cubic meters annually. He emphasized Jordan's commitment to finding sustainable solutions, especially through projects like the National Water Carrier, which focuses on seawater desalination. Al-Mahamid gave an overview of Jordan's water resource management and the modern technologies the ministry is adopting in alignment with the National Water Strategy (2023–2040), aimed at achieving water security and sustainable national development. Eng. Saddam Khleifat, Director of the National Water Carrier Unit, provided a detailed presentation on the national desalination project and ongoing efforts to implement it. From the Moroccan side, Abdelkebir Alaoui, Director of Water Equipment at the Ministry of Equipment and Water, stressed the importance of partnership and knowledge exchange to confront the region's water challenges, driven by climate change and the widening gap between water demand and availability. He presented an overview of Morocco's water situation, highlighting the impacts of climate change and the country's plans to build new dams and seawater desalination plants. An extensive discussion took place between both parties, addressing various water-related issues and ways to establish effective mechanisms for enhancing joint cooperation in desalination, dams, and water management. The two sides also agreed to finalize the signing of a cooperation agreement in the water sector. The Jordanian delegation included Media Assistant and Spokesperson Omar Salameh, Director of the National Water Carrier Unit Eng. Saddam Khleifat, Head of the Desalination Department Eng. Haitham Al-Taani, Project Director Eng. Issa Al-War, representatives from the German Agency for International Cooperation (GIZ), and other stakeholders. From the Moroccan side, attendees included Rachid Rajel (Water Planning), Jihan El Ouardi (Non-Conventional Water Resources), Issam El Gharari (Water Management), Mohamed Bir Hamma (Sanitation), and others. The delegation also met with Jordan's Ambassador to Morocco, Jumana Ghunaimat, at the embassy in Rabat. Ambassador Ghunaimat welcomed the Jordanian delegation and praised the Ministry's role in strengthening cooperation among Arab countries. She emphasized the importance of such initiatives in building bridges and promoting joint efforts to address shared water challenges. The delegation expressed their gratitude to Ambassador Ghunaimat for the warm reception and for the embassy's continuous efforts to enhance Jordanian-Moroccan collaboration. The visit included stops at the National Office of Electricity and Drinking Water, the Rabat Water Treatment Plant, the Agadir Desalination Plant, the Massa-Souss River Basin Agency, and several technical meetings.
Morocco World
22-04-2025
- Business
- Morocco World
Morocco Signs Major Water Deals at SIAM 2025
Morocco has signed two major agreements aimed at transforming the way it manages its water resources, as the country faces mounting pressure from drought and climate change. The deals were signed between the Ministry of Agriculture and the Ministry of Equipment and Water at SIAM 2025 during the International Conference on Water Management for Sustainable and Resilient Agriculture. Nearly 30 foreign delegations attended, including ministers from France and Italy. The deals were signed between the Ministry of Agriculture and the Ministry of Equipment and Water at SIAM 2025 during the International Conference on Water Management for Sustainable and Resilient Agriculture The first agreement focuses on the Fez-Meknes aquifer, aiming to involve farmers, local authorities, and industry in managing this crucial water source. 'This new contract will allow us to balance environmental protection and economic development,' said Agriculture Minister Ahmed El Bouari at the event. The second deal promises tighter coordination between government departments, especially when it comes to data sharing and weather forecasting. 'The exchange of data between our services and the development of specific meteorological tools will revolutionise agricultural decision-making,' said Nizar Baraka, Minister of Equipment and Water. Speaking to Morocco World News, Baraka revealed Morocco is also working with the World Water Council to create a new international centre focused on renewable energy and water. 'The aim is to share Morocco's successful experience in seawater desalination using renewable energy – particularly solar energy,' he said. Nizar Baraka speaking during the SIAM 2025 in Meknes By 2030, Morocco plans to produce 1.7 billion cubic metres of desalinated water, of which 500 million cubic metres will be used for agriculture. 'This will allow us to irrigate over 100,000 hectares – enabling the cultivation of high-value crops and reinforcing our food sovereignty,' Baraka added. One of the new projects will support earthquake-hit regions. 'We've signed a groundwater contract covering the earthquake-affected zone,' Baraka said. 'Water from the Moulay Abdeslam dam will support irrigation over 30,000 hectares, starting with 10,000 hectares.' Both ministers stressed that these efforts follow the roadmap laid out by King Mohammed VI in his 2024 speech, which set the goal of meeting 80% of Morocco's irrigation needs. 'In the face of growing water stress, these agreements reflect our commitment to deliver the royal vision,' said El Bouari. Experts at the event called for faster adoption of smarter water governance models. Many praised Morocco's new participatory approach to groundwater management as a model for the region. Tags: agricultureAhmed El BouaridroughtMeknesNizar BarakaSIAM 2025
Morocco World
06-04-2025
- Business
- Morocco World
Morocco Aims to Recycle 100 Million Cubic Meters of Wastewater by 2027
Rabat – The Ministry of Equipment and Water has announced that Morocco is implementing an ambitious policy to diversify its water sources, with a strong focus on increasing the use of non-traditional resources, especially the reuse of treated wastewater. The goal is to utilize 100 million cubic meters of treated wastewater by 2027, as part of the National Program for Drinking Water and Irrigation Water Supply 2020-2027. Moroccan Minister of Equipment and Water Nizar Baraka made the announcement in response to a written question submitted by an MP from the Movement Group regarding 'areas benefiting from wastewater reuse.' The minister noted that this policy relies on conventional water sources through dam construction, connecting water basins, and groundwater exploitation, alongside non-conventional sources such as seawater desalination and treated wastewater reuse. Speaking of the significance of this strategy, Barak explained the importance the ministry places on reusing treated wastewater as a significant non-conventional water source. This approach aims to reduce continuous pressure on conventional water resources by meeting the growing water demands across various sectors, particularly agriculture. Ambitious target set for 2027 Baraka explained that his ministry's goal will encompass irrigating green spaces, golf courses, industrial use, groundwater recharge, and agricultural irrigation. The volume of treated wastewater used in 2023 reached 37 million cubic meters. The ministry confirmed that it is working to encourage projects for reusing treated water in all the aforementioned areas with particular focus on the agricultural sector, in coordination and partnership with all stakeholders in the field of treated wastewater reuse. This is set to be accomplished through preparing and implementing strategic and field studies on treated wastewater reuse. The Ministry is also developing and signing partnership agreements for treated water reuse, including agreements for agricultural irrigation in the cities of Tiznit and Settat. Read also: Over MAD 600 Million Allocated to Combat Water Pollution in Sebou Basin The Ministry provides annual financial contributions to fund treated wastewater reuse projects, currently exceeding MAD 500 million ($50 million), including financing for treated wastewater reuse projects and liquid sanitation in rural areas. Additionally, they are working to reduce social, health, technical, financial, legal, and regulatory constraints that these projects have faced or continue to face, in order to implement treated wastewater reuse for crop irrigation in practice. Challenges and solutions Regarding the challenges facing this approach, the ministry mentioned one of the most prominent issues is that current standards under Decree No. 2.97.875 concerning water quality standards and water pollution inventory from Water Law 95-10 vary according to crop category. This creates obstacles in using the same treated water production point with specific quality standards at small and medium-sized farms that practice multiple crops. Additionally, there is difficulty in getting treated wastewater users to contribute to the operating costs of the plants producing this water. To overcome these problems, the Ministry, in partnership and coordination with all concerned stakeholders, has reviewed and finalized the draft decree No. 2.97.787 in accordance with the current Law 15-36 relating to water. Work is currently underway to publish it in the Official Gazette. The ministry confirmed that this decree, unlike its first version, will establish unified standards for agricultural irrigation for all crops, meeting all necessary theoretical, technical, and health conditions. Tags: irrigationMorocco Wastewater TreatmentRecycling wastewater
Morocco World
19-03-2025
- Climate
- Morocco World
Strong Winds Expected in Several Provinces in Morocco
Rabat – The General Directorate of Meteorology is expecting a new wave of dust storms and strong winds in several Moroccan provinces on Thursday. Morocco's weather office today announced that strong winds ranging from 75 to 85 kilometers per hour are expected to affect the provinces of Figuig, Boulemane, Azilal, and Sidi Bennour from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. The same weather will concern Sidi Bennour, Safi, Al Haouz, Chichaoua, Youssoufia, Marrakech and Essaouira. Wind and dust storms are also affecting Midelt, Errachidia, Tinghir, and Ouarzazate on the same day. Morocco has been witnessing a series of similar weather alerts, with rainfall covering the whole country reviving water reserves in dams and water sources that have been affected by drought. Recent statistics from the Ministry of Equipment and Water revealed that several dam reservoirs gained over 30 million cubic meters of water in just 24 hours. The Mohammed Ben Abdellah Dam experienced one of the most significant gains, with water stocks rising by approximately 15.9 million cubic meters, bringing its filling rate to 44.32%. Similarly, the Mohammed V Dam saw an increase of 6.1 million cubic meters, reaching a 48.91% fill rate. The Al Wahda Dam's reserves grew by 2.1 million cubic meters, raising its stock to 38.2%, while the Kansera Dam in Khemisset Province gained 3.1 million cubic meters, increasing its fill rate to 25%. The global filling rate reached at least 5.7 billion cubic meters compared to the 4.6 billion cubic meters recorded before the recent rainfalls. Tags: a cold weatherheavy rainfall
