COP28, Morocco’s Participation Sends Strong Message for Integrated Management of Pollutants – Minister –

Morocco’s participation in COP28 in Dubai with a very high-level delegation, chaired by HRH Princess Lalla Hasnaa, sends a strong message for a new generation of multilateralism that will track the different types of pollutants in an integrated manner, Minister of Energy Transition and Sustainable Development, Leila Benali, said. HM King Mohammed VI’s speech to the World Summit on Climate Action, held within the framework of COP28, was an opportunity to highlight the issues raised by the Moroccan presidency of the UN Environment Assembly, by emphasizing the credibility of multilateralism and multilateral financing, particularly those related to climate projects, Benali told the press on Saturday. This is a very important point that the Sovereign underlined, given the various challenges that arise at the start of the 21st century, notably the climate crisis, she added. Morocco stresses this integration between different COPs and different multilateralism entities to track, in an integrated manner, the different types of pollutant emissions which have a direct impact on economic and social development, the minister pointed out, adding that “it is therefore a very strong message that Morocco sends to all entities”. She also noted that the Moroccan Pavilion at COP28 hosts many important events, negotiations and signings of agreements, with the participation of the Moroccan delegation that also includes ministers and partners from the private sector interested in climate, energy transition and sustainable development, as well as civil society stakeholders. “Moroccan participation is an opportunity to share our experiences in energy transition and sustainable development,” she said, referring to the completed or underway projects. According to the minister, foreign delegations have shown particular interest in Morocco’s projects in this field, particularly those related to low-carbon industry, desalination using renewable energies and access to liquefied natural gas market for the first time in Morocco. “Of course, we also have a green hydrogen offer, a project which will allow us to establish energy transition, but also regional integration with African and European continents,” Benali underlined. Regarding negotiations, the minister stressed that Morocco insists on the importance of climate financing. “We seize this opportunity to congratulate the United Arab Emirates, this brotherly and friendly country that has brought forward several climate issues, has achieved very good results during these first days of COP28, in particular on operating the Loss and Damage Fund and mobilizing hundreds of millions of dollars,” she said. Regrading the National Sustainable Development Strategy, Benali welcomed a “very inclusive” plan which carries the spirit of the new development model, by putting humans and citizens at the heart of public policies. Recalling the Kingdom’s pioneering commitment to international climate action through hosting two COPs (2001 and 2016 in Marrakech), she highlighted the Moroccan presidency of the UN Environment Assembly, a first for an African country, noting that Morocco will pass the torch to Kenya in February.