Morocco and the European Union (EU) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding on the establishment of a Green Partnership with the EU, making the Kingdom the first country to conclude a partnership of this kind with Brussels.

Signed in Rabat by Minister of Foreign Affairs, African Cooperation and Moroccan Expatriates, Nasser Bourita, and Executive Vice President of the European Commission and Commissioner for Climate Action Policy, Frans Timmermans, the memorandum aims to establish a Green Partnership between the partners in the areas of combating climate change, energy transition, environmental protection and promotion of the green and blue economy.

This partnership was launched in the presence of Minister of Industry and Trade, Ryad Mezzour, Minister of Energy Transition and Sustainable Development, Leila Benali and Minister of Economy and Finance, Nadia Fettah Alaoui.

Strategic in nature and offering real opportunities for political, economic, technical and technological cooperation, this Green Partnership should, among other things, place the fight against climate change, the promotion and advancement of the energy transition, environmental protection and the transition to a green and fair economy among the priorities of relations between the EU and Morocco.

The memorandum will enable the partners to make progress towards their common goals of becoming low-carbon economies moving towards climate neutrality while ensuring the security of their energy supplies and leaving no one behind. It is also a question of fostering the transition to a decarbonized industry through investment in green technology, renewable energy production, sustainable mobility and clean production in industry.

It will also enable partners to strengthen their cooperation and make it a lever for mutually beneficial sustainable development that promotes the emergence of economic and social opportunities while developing triangular and South-South cooperation on climate change, green energy, blue economy and the environment.

This agreement is also meant to promote early policy dialogue and exchange, taking into account the interests, priorities and concerns of each partner in the development of policies on climate change, energy transition, environmental protection and green and blue economy at bilateral, regional and multilateral levels.

In addition, this memorandum aims to raise awareness of the populations, especially the most vulnerable groups, to the climate and environmental challenges, by encouraging the contribution of the various actors for the success of this partnership.

Similarly, it will be a question of strengthening the involvement of the private sector in the green fields, including in the mobilization of investments for the green transition of the Moroccan economy, and closer collaboration with financial organizations and European cooperation institutions.

Thus, through this enhanced cooperation framework, partners will be able to discuss all issues of common interest, share knowledge and best practices, and identify and implement concrete and mutually beneficial cooperation initiatives.

In addition, this partnership could encourage privileged cooperation with specialized European agencies, as well as Morocco’s participation in relevant community programs and European initiatives.

This green partnership, which will build on the many achievements of the bilateral relationship, is part of the existing framework of Morocco-EU relations within which the partners will be able to discuss as equals and examine any issue of common interest.

It will ensure the establishment of follow-up mechanisms such as ministerial meetings, follow-up groups and business forums.