Morocco’s groundbreaking approach to energy transition was prominently featured at the ONS Energy Forum, a leading global summit currently taking place in Stavanger, Norway. Representing Morocco at this prestigious event, inaugurated by Norway’s Crown Prince Haakon, was Leila Benali, the Minister of Energy Transition and Sustainable Development. During the opening panel titled “Towards a More Sustainable and Resilient Future,” which included Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre, Benali highlighted Morocco’s remarkable progress in renewable energy.
Benali outlined the key elements of Morocco’s energy strategy, focusing on energy security, the scale of projects completed, and the speed of their implementation. She emphasized the importance of international partnerships in achieving a successful energy transition, noting that Morocco, given its potential and accumulated expertise, has become a pivotal player in global efforts towards sustainable energy.
On the sidelines of the forum, which was attended by Morocco’s Ambassador to Norway, Nabila Freidji, Benali also participated in a roundtable discussion on “A Crucial Issue: Addressing Dependencies in Clean Technology Supply Chains.” During this session, she detailed Morocco’s strategy for mineral management, underscoring the country’s role as a strategic corridor for global supply chains. She also highlighted the importance of recycling critical minerals to ensure their long-term sustainability and called for innovation, certification, and incentives to address mineral scarcity.
In addition to her participation in the forum, Benali held several bilateral meetings with key figures, including Norway’s Ministers of Energy and Climate and Environment, Terje Aasland and Andreas Bjelland Eriksen. She also engaged with various Norwegian and international energy sector stakeholders, discussing the potential for collaboration between Morocco and Norway in areas related to energy transition.
The ONS Energy Forum, organized by the Norwegian Petroleum Safety Authority (ONS), is a major platform for addressing critical energy sector issues, including decarbonization, technological innovation, and geopolitical dynamics. The 2024 edition marks the 50th anniversary of this essential conference, which is held under the patronage of the Norwegian Royal Family.
