Morocco has entered a new phase in the mobilization and governance of water resources, marked by an integrated and forward-looking approach designed to meet the country’s growing challenges in a changing climate, Minister of Equipment and Water Nizar Baraka said on Monday in Marrakech.
Speaking at the opening of the 19th World Water Congress — held until December 5 under the theme “Water in a changing world: Innovation and Adaptation” — Baraka stressed that Morocco’s new water strategy is built on a diversified system combining seawater desalination, dam construction, wastewater reuse, groundwater recharge, digitization, and regional water contracts. This integrated model, he noted, represents a structural shift in the country’s long-term vision for water security.
Baraka explained that Morocco has adopted integrated development master plans for all water basins through 2050, forming the backbone of the National Water Plan. This national roadmap is intended to ensure coherence and convergence between the state, territorial authorities, regional bodies, and economic actors, allowing for coordinated planning and more efficient resource allocation.
Highlighting recent achievements, the minister revealed that Morocco has already built 17 desalination plants with a combined production capacity of 350.3 million m³ per year. Four additional plants — totaling 567 million m³ — are currently under construction. By 2030, the country plans to develop 11 more desalination projects for drinking water, irrigation, and industrial use, collectively targeting 1.7 billion m³ per year. All future facilities, Baraka emphasized, will be powered by renewable energy, reinforcing Morocco’s commitment to sustainability.
According to Baraka, water challenges facing Morocco are no longer cyclical or temporary. Instead, the country has entered a new stage shaped by persistent scarcity, climate stress, and population growth — a context that demands creativity, technological innovation, and intelligent governance. He expressed confidence that the 19th World Water Congress will help deliver innovative solutions and practical recommendations to strengthen global water resilience.
Co-organized by the Ministry of Equipment and Water and the International Water Resources Association (IWRA), under the patronage of King Mohammed VI, the Congress brings together a wide spectrum of stakeholders, including international experts, policymakers, researchers, civil society, and private-sector actors. The event serves as a key platform for sharing knowledge, establishing partnerships, and advancing new strategies for water governance, security, and sustainability.
The program includes a ministerial round table, four high-level panels, over 140 technical sessions, and several side events exploring specialized topics in depth. A dedicated exhibition space will showcase innovative technologies and water-related projects from around the world.
The Congress will conclude with the Marrakech Declaration, a collective call to reinforce the connection between science, policy, and action — and to accelerate global mobilization to conserve water resources in the face of mounting environmental pressures.
