In Rabat, French President Emmanuel Macron expressed admiration for Morocco’s innovative approach to water management, praising the country’s comprehensive efforts to address modern water challenges through initiatives such as “water highways” and urban desalination projects. Speaking at an event organized by the OCP Group on “Food Security: Franco-Moroccan Cooperation for Sustainable Agricultural Systems in Africa,” Macron commended Morocco’s adaptation strategy, describing it as a model that France should emulate.
Macron highlighted water as a vital resource that precedes all agricultural inputs, emphasizing the need for regional strategies that unify academic research and regional organizations. He lauded Morocco’s approach, spearheaded by OCP, as a fruitful strategy for sustainable agriculture and water conservation, particularly relevant for other African nations.
The French President also addressed the importance of nurturing mature agricultural industries in African countries to foster employment and reduce informal economic practices. He advocated for systematic soil mapping to inform sustainable land management, alongside an integrated research framework that can be tailored to individual country needs.
Macron pointed out that Morocco and France share a common commitment to advancing food security. He noted a growing dialogue over the last 15 years around the concept of “agricultural degrowth” in response to decarbonization and dietary changes. Macron called for greater agricultural output with fewer inputs, harnessing research and technology to modernize irrigation and deepen soil understanding.
He referenced the Paris Pact for People and the Planet (4P), a North-South partnership aimed at economic development, biodiversity protection, and geopolitical stability—a vision Macron sees as shared by Morocco, France, Africa, and Europe. Regarding the Mediterranean, Macron stressed the need to reimagine the region’s agricultural model to meet the challenge of food sovereignty, underscoring France’s commitment to being a long-term partner for both Europe and Africa in securing sustainable food systems.
