HM King Mohammed VI stressed on Monday 29th July 2024, in a speech addressed to the Nation, on the 25th anniversary of the Sovereign’s accession to the Throne, that the preservation of water is a national duty, urging all Moroccans to participate in safeguarding this vital resource.
“Preserving water is a national responsibility that concerns all institutions and all stakeholders. It is also every citizen’s solemn duty,” he said during his Throne Day speech.
The monarch stressed the urgent need for rational and responsible use of water, reflecting on the considerable investments made to secure water resource.
“Spending billions and billions in order to mobilize water resources, only to see that cases of waste and misuse continue to exist, is unacceptable,” HM the King asserted.
In addition, he urged the authorities to adopt stricter measures to protect the country’s water resources, including the establishment of a “water police” to regulate and curb excessive water use and chaotic pumping practices.
He also emphasized the need for better coordination between water policy and agricultural policy, particularly during periods of water scarcity.
“In the same vein, we need to adopt a more ambitious program for the treatment and reuse of water,” he said, stressing that reclaimed water could become a vital resource for irrigation, industry, and other needs.
He called for continuous updates to national water policy to ensure all citizens have access to drinking water and that at least 80% of irrigation needs are met.
The agricultural sector, consuming 87% of Morocco’s water resources, poses a significant challenge. Despite water-intensive practices and inefficient irrigation methods, the sector’s economic output remains low.
HM King called for accelerated implementation of major water transfer projects between hydraulic basins and the construction of seawater desalination plants.
“In line with our proactive and ambitious Strategic Vision, we call for accelerated implementation of major water transfer projects,” HM King Mohammed VI announced.
These projects, including connecting various basins aim to balance national water distribution.
HM the King also emphasized the need to expedite the construction of seawater desalination plants, aiming to mobilize over 1.7 billion cubic meters annually by 2030.
Highlighting the Casablanca desalination plant, the largest in Africa and the second largest in the world powered entirely by clean energy, the King emphasized the need for renewable energy projects to support desalination efforts.
He called for the development of a national water desalination industry, specialized training programs, and the creation of national companies for desalination plant construction.
“No negligence, no delay, no mismanagement will be tolerated in an issue as crucial as water,” HM the King declared’’ .
In addition, the speech highlighted the successful impact of water desalination plants in the country’s southern provinces, particularly in Dakhla city, where these facilities have significantly contributed to economic and social development.
“I therefore call for the expansion of the Dakhla plant and an increase in the production capacity of similar facilities in the future,” the King stated, noting the region’s potential for clean energy production to meet the growing demands of agriculture, tourism, and industry.
Despite efforts by the government to address these challenges, issues of water waste and inefficient use persist. Agricultural practices, which consume the majority of the country’s water, often rely on traditional irrigation methods.
In addition, urban areas face challenges related to water distribution and infrastructure, which leads to significant losses and inefficiencies.
The King underscored the urgency of addressing Morocco’s water crisis, calling for innovative solutions and improved governance to tackle the challenge head-on.
“The challenges facing our country require us to redouble our efforts and vigilance,” he stated. “One of these major challenges is the issue of water, which is becoming increasingly complex due to drought, climate change, and rising demand”
“This situation can also be attributed to delays in the completion of certain water policy projects,” the King acknowledged, instructing the government and local authorities to implement urgent and innovative measures to prevent water shortages.
HM King Mohammed VI highlighted Morocco’s declining water availability, which has dropped from 2,000 cubic meters per capita in 1960 to less than 600 cubic meters today.
After addressing the water crisis, that Morocco faces in his speech, the monarch stressed that Morocco’s own diplomatic challenges will not divert its efforts and focus from the tragedy of Palestinians.
“If putting an end to the war in Gaza is an urgent priority, then this must be achieved concurrently with opening up political prospects conducive to a just and lasting peace in the region,” HM the King stressed.
He especially highlighted the need for negotiations to revive the peace process between Palestinian and Israeli parties, stressing that this requires cutting off the path for extremists – “from whatever side they may come.”
Regional security and stability will only be fully ensured through the framework of the two-state solution, HM the King noted.
This should ensure that Gaza remains an integral part of the territories of an independent Palestinian State that will have East Jerusalem as its capital, HM the King said.
The King also highlighted the humanitarian aid Morocco sent to Palestine.
“As Chairman of the al-Quds Committee, I managed to have an unprecedented route opened up, through which we delivered urgent food and medical aid to our brothers and sisters in Gaza,” HM the King remarked.
He further stressed that he will continue to back constructive initiatives aimed at finding practical solutions, achieving a tangible and permanent ceasefire to address the humanitarian situation in Gaza.
