Minister of Energy Transition and Sustainable Development, Leila Benali, said in New York that Morocco has made sustainable development a “strategic choice”, under the wise leadership of His Majesty King Mohammed VI.
Ms. Benali stressed, during the High-level Political Forum on Sustainable Development, held in New York (17-20 July) at the initiative of the United Nations Economic and Social Council, that Morocco’s commitment to the benefit of the dynamic of sustainable development is reflected through several reforms that concerned laying solid foundations for economic development and improving social conditions, and accelerating the pace of environmental advancement.
She highlighted that Morocco has adopted, under the wise leadership of His Majesty King Mohammed VI, a new development model that identifies four main areas for achieving sustainable progress in the year 2035 at the economic, social and territorial level, as well as the human element. She explained that Morocco is betting, through this development model, on reconciling economic development, achieving social well-being and preserving the environment, while working to strengthen governance and strengthen the convergence of public policies.
On the other hand, the minister noted that Morocco’s involvement in the process of accelerating the implementation of the sustainable development goals is reinforced through the national strategy for sustainable development, which is being updated in consultation with all national actors.
She considered that the Paris Climate Agreement and the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development are two pivotal points for promoting global climate action, explaining that their implementation has contributed to the growth of environmental awareness and the consolidation of the integration of sustainability into most vital sectors, including the financial sector.
In this context, I note that Morocco has updated its Nationally Determined Contribution according to a participatory and comprehensive approach that has enabled it to raise the level of ambition in terms of reducing greenhouse gases by more than 45%, by the year 2030.
She added that the Kingdom has prepared a long-term national strategy for low-carbon development in the 2050 horizon, in accordance with the requirements of the Paris Agreement, in order to direct and plan the policies and measures necessary to contribute to achieving the goals of the agreement.
In order to overcome the challenges related to sustainable development, the minister stressed the necessity of comprehensive mobilization of the international community and the strengthening of confidence in order to join efforts at the international and regional levels, especially with the accumulation of converging crises and the resulting negative effects, especially for African countries.
Among these challenges, Ms. Benali touched on the lack of access to technology, data and financing, which constitutes an obstacle to accelerating the pace of growth in these countries, highlighting in this regard that Morocco continues to strengthen South-South and triangular cooperation, while working to promote stability, justice and human rights. people on a global scale.
Mrs. Benali headed an important delegation to participate in the high-level political forum on sustainable development, in the presence of Ambassador Permanent Representative of Morocco to the United Nations, Omar Hilale, and senior officials from the Ministry and the High Commissioner for Planning.
The current session of this annual forum is being organized under the title “Accelerating Recovery from COVID-19 and Full Implementation of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development at All Levels.” This event constitutes the central UN platform for tracking and focusing on the 2030 Agenda and the 17 Sustainable Development Goals adopted by the United Nations General Assembly on September 25, 2015.
The UN Forum meets annually, under the supervision of the Economic and Social Council, and every four years with the participation of leaders of states and governments under the auspices of the United Nations General Assembly.
State leaders will meet on September 18 and 19 in New York, in order to track the implementation of the 17 Sustainable Development Goals and the 2030 Agenda.
