Address of Speaker of the House of Representatives, Hon. Rachid Talbi El Alami, at 144th Assembly of the Inter-Parliamentary Union

Honorable President,

Esteemed colleagues,

Ladies and gentlemen,

It is an honor for me to speak on behalf of the Parliament of the Kingdom of Morocco at this Assembly of the Inter-Parliamentary Union. Our Union did well when it chose “Mobilizing parliaments to act on climate change” as the central theme for this gathering. This shows how acutely aware the Union is of the threats looming over humankind and the future of Earth. In so doing, it is also recalling the responsibility of parliaments to help avert those risks and reverse the negative trends in climate change.

On behalf of the Moroccan representation at the Inter-Parliamentary Union, I would like to express my thanks to the Parliament and authorities of our friend country, Indonesia, and congratulate them for the measures taken to ensure the success of this Assembly.

Allow me to reiterate the commitment of the Kingdom of Morocco, under the leadership of His Majesty King Mohammed VI, may God assist him, for the preservation of the environment and the implementation of the commitments made by my country in the framework of the Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Convention on Climate Change. Thanks to its committed action, my country enjoys the confidence of the international community, which elected it President of the Sixth United Nations Environment Assembly (UNEA-6) for a two-year term, at the meeting held in Nairobi, earlier this month. Before that, and as you know, Marrakesh hosted, in November 2016, the 22^nd Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP22), which adopted practical measures for the well-being of the planet. Moreover, COP22 was at the origin of the idea and initiatives on climate justice for Africa.

The Kingdom of Morocco was among the first nations to take proactive measures to protect the environment and reduce the greenhouse gas emissions. Indeed, environmental protection is an integral part of my country's public policy, in keeping with the provisions of the Moroccan Constitution. Environmental protection is ensured through the public policies implemented in various fields, and it represents a convergence point between all those policies. Since time constraints do not allow for a full review of the accomplishments made in this field, I will briefly mention some of the most important ones:

1. The Kingdom's ambitious policy in terms of energy production from renewable sources (solar, wind, marine and hydraulic);
2. The agricultural policy which contributes to the preservation of the environment and also to covering the food needs of Moroccans and the supplies food to numerous international markets;
3. Controlling maritime fishing activities through strict checking and the replenishment of fishery resources;
4. Implementation of an ambitious policy for mobilizing fresh water and ensuring its rational use in agriculture and industry;
5. Prohibition of the manufacturing of non-biodegradable plastics, which are harmful to the environment, and their replacement with eco-friendly industries;
6. The obligation for all stakeholders to take into account the environmental aspect in any investment project, and refraining from authorizing any project which does not include an environmental impact study proving compliance with ecological standards;
7. The accelerated creation of renewable energy power plants, in particular solar-powered ones. In this regard, the "Noor" solar complex in Ouarzazate is one of the few and largest clean energy production plants in the world; Replication of this model in various regions of the Kingdom, including cities in the southern provinces, like Noor Laayoune and Noor Boujdour and Dakhla, which will include the implementation of a vast wind energy production project at a cost of around 3 billion dollars, and which will use the latest technologies in this regard. It should be pointed out that 28 Moroccan cities - from Tangier to Lagouira - now have energy production projects that use renewable sources. Thanks to these projects - and others that are already in the pipeline - and also thanks to the liberalization of the energy production sector and the possibility for self-production in this regard, my country is now a global pioneer in the production of clean energy;
8. Wastewater reuse, after treatment: this reinforces Morocco's ambitious policy in the area of water resource management.

In line with the principles underpinning Morocco’s foreign policy, which is rooted in solidarity, my country is committed to sharing its experience and practices with brotherly African countries through flagship projects. Thus, the AAA Initiative, which was launched by His Majesty King Mohammed VI during the 22^nd  Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Convention on Climate Change held in Marrakesh in 2016, aims to meet the challenge of reducing the vulnerability of Africa and its agriculture to climate disruptions. It also seeks to implement agricultural projects in a number of African countries, thus contributing to poverty reduction.

Although Africa is responsible for only 4% of greenhouse gas emissions, it has suffered immensely from the effects of climate change. We therefore reiterate our appeal for productive partnerships in order to tackle the risks climate change is posing to Africans. These partnerships should go beyond the narrow, classical confines of aid or cooperation for development since the continent has enormous productive potential, both human and natural (60% of the world's arable lands is located in Africa).

Honorable President,

Esteemed colleagues,

Pollution of the marine environment is another imminent danger that needs to be tackled through urgent plans on a planetary scale, given that the seas provide 50% of the food the world population needs, in addition to accounting for 50% of the oxygen needed for life on earth.

With an Atlantic coast stretching over nearly 3,000 km and a Mediterranean coastline of ​​more than 500 km, Morocco has been committed, for years, to the sustainable, rational, and regulated use of maritime resources. Thus, 95% of fishing operations are subject to strict control and rigorous inspection measures. There is also full compliance with biological rest periods and the quantities authorized for fishing.

In line with its vision and policy for the preservation of the marine environment, the Kingdom of Morocco adheres to all international initiatives aimed at achieving that objective. In this context, the Head of the Moroccan Government recently took part in the One Ocean Summit, held in February 2022 in Brest, France. The summit was attended by the Heads of States and Governments of EU countries, in addition to 13 non-EU nations. Thus, Morocco is determined to continue its action in support of the drafting and ratification of international conventions that protect international waters against pollution, in particular the scourges of plastics, ship fuel and overfishing, and that also define marine protected areas.

Honorable President,

As legislators, we wonder what is hindering the enforcement of conventions on the protection of the environment. In fact, the answers to that query are many, but the fundamental element which prevents the implementation of these conventions is the weak commitment of governments and donor institutions regarding the matters agreed. There is also the inadequacy of the funds pledged to finance policies and alternative measures to the ones causing greenhouse gas emissions, the lack of actual commitment by donor countries in favor of a green, sustainable economy, and the insufficient sharing of clean technology, not to mention its excessive cost.

The failure to honor commitments to the Green Climate Fund - supposed to be replenished to the tune of 100 billion dollars a year - is just one indicator, among others, of the inadequacy of those commitments.

There is no doubt that the Covid-19 pandemic was a test on a global scale. The pandemic has brought the concept of international solidarity into the limelight. It has taught us many lessons that we ought to keep in mind in order to use information, communication, and knowledge-based technology in developing sustainable economic and service models. To do this, it is necessary to renounce selfishness, to demonstrate a spirit of genuine solidarity, and to share skills and knowledge.

Parliaments are expected to press ahead with their checking the work of the government mission and legislative work with a view to achieving those objectives. At the same time, they are called upon to lead by example in matters relating to preservation of the environment, through the use of new technologies in data sharing and in the production, from renewable sources, of the energy they use - however small that energy may be.

This is precisely what the House of Representatives of the Kingdom of Morocco initiated a few months ago. It now covers more than 50% of its energy needs (as an annual average) from renewable sources. In addition, by resorting to digital means for the exchange of data,  it has reduced its paper consumption by 80%.

When it comes to environmental risks, it is a fact that we all share the same fate. However, it is also true that the plight of the countries of the South is greater than that of other nations, as evidenced by droughts, desertification, deterioration of forest and plant cover and population displacement and migration flows, due to climate factors. Women, children, people with special needs, and small farmers are affected the most by climate disruptions.

These situations are a challenge to the political will of the international community. They are also testing the values we are supposed to have in common. Above all, they are challenging our sense of responsibility.

Thank you for your keen attention.