Morocco and France moved to strengthen their strategic cooperation in the forestry sector during talks held Monday in the capital, highlighting a long-standing partnership focused on climate resilience and sustainable resource management.
The meeting brought together Abderrahim Houmy, head of the National Agency for Water and Forests (ANEF), and Éléonore Caroit, as part of broader efforts to reinforce ties between Morocco and France.
Both sides underscored the depth of bilateral cooperation in forestry, built over more than three decades through joint programs spanning biodiversity protection, reforestation, sustainable forest management, and climate adaptation. The partnership has also focused on strengthening forest ecosystem resilience, managing urban and peri-urban forests, and improving monitoring systems.
Houmy said the discussions offered an opportunity to review the “highly diversified” cooperation initiatives between the two countries, covering areas such as watershed management, national parks, forest health, wildfire response, and climate adaptation.
For her part, Caroit stressed that her visit aims to further boost cooperation, particularly in tackling forest fires and advancing reforestation efforts. She described the partnership as one that “protects communities” while aligning environmental priorities with economic development and climate goals.
On the sidelines of the talks, the French delegation visited Morocco’s Forest Fire Management Center, where they were briefed on operations related to monitoring, prevention, and response to wildfires.
According to ANEF, discussions also highlighted the strategic importance of the “Ghabati Hayati – My Forest, My Life” program, financed by the French Development Agency (AFD) with €103 million. The initiative is the first major international cooperation project supporting the implementation of Morocco’s “Forests of Morocco 2020–2030” strategy.
Another key pillar is the “Al Ard Al Khadraa – Green Land” program, a twinning project led by ANEF with support from the European Union, aimed at strengthening institutional and technical partnerships while developing innovative, locally adapted solutions.
Both parties reaffirmed their commitment to expanding South-South cooperation, particularly across Africa, by sharing expertise and promoting sustainable natural resource management.
A high-level visit by ANEF officials to France is scheduled for June 2026 to further enhance technical cooperation, deepen institutional ties, and explore new avenues for collaboration in addressing forestry, environmental, and climate challenges.
