Strengthening environmental cooperation between Morocco and Mali

Morocco and Mali have embarked on a significant journey to enhance their environmental cooperation through strategic dialogue. Recently, Leila Benali, Minister of Energy Transition and Sustainable Development in Morocco, engaged in extensive virtual discussions with her Malian counterpart, Mariam Tangara Doumbia. Their talks focused on addressing pressing climate and environmental challenges, emphasizing bilateral collaboration grounded in solidarity, knowledge transfer, and regional integration.

Under the stewardship of King Mohammed VI, Morocco has positioned its relationship with Africa at the forefront of its strategic priorities. Minister Benali articulated Morocco's commitment to fostering a new generation of South-South partnerships, aimed at achieving efficiency, solidarity, and tangible results in sustainable development.

Central to the dialogue were Morocco's initiatives designed to promote sustainable development in the region, including the Royal Atlantic Initiative for Sahel countries and Mali's participation in the Sahel Climate Committee. This committee serves as a vital platform for regional climate coordination, underscoring the importance of collaborative efforts in tackling environmental issues.

Minister Benali stressed the need for practical discussions to activate bilateral cooperation, particularly in knowledge sharing, technology transfer, and capacity building. She praised Mali's dedication to environmental and sustainable development, recalling their past collaborative efforts during Morocco's presidency of the UN Environment Assembly.

In response, Minister Tangara Doumbia commended Morocco's leadership in energy transition and environmental governance. She expressed Mali's interest in leveraging Morocco's expertise in renewable energy and waste management, particularly in enhancing training and capacity-building systems.

Tangara Doumbia outlined several pressing challenges confronting Mali, including an energy crisis, ineffective solid waste management, and water pollution linked to unregulated mining. She emphasized the necessity for innovative approaches, including environmental transformation projects and circular economy solutions, which aim to convert waste into energy and organic fertilizers to bolster sustainable agriculture.

Minister Benali reaffirmed Morocco's readiness to share its expertise with Mali in these critical areas. She highlighted the role of the OCP Group, through its academic branch at Mohammed VI Polytechnic University, in driving research and innovation related to sustainable agriculture and soil management.

Both ministers acknowledged the urgency of accelerating technical discussions between their teams to establish a robust cooperation framework. They aspire to sign a formal agreement soon, launching joint projects centered on waste valorization, climate adaptation, and circular economy development. This collaboration illustrates their shared commitment to building a sustainable environmental future anchored in climate sovereignty.