Co-organized by Tajikistan and the Netherlands with the support of the United Nations, the Conference will be devoted to the mid-term comprehensive review of the implementation of the goals of the International Decade for Action on Water for Sustainable Development 2018-2028, which was proclaimed by the UN GA, in December 2016.

Morocco, which advocates in particular for a better consideration of the water issue in the implementation of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, participates in this UN flagship event by a delegation led by the Minister of Equipment and Water, Nizar Baraka.

In this interview, the UN GA president has commended the "very visionary and wise" policies implemented by Morocco for sustainable water management. He also stressed that the Moroccan strategy in this area will greatly help the economic development and social development in Morocco.

   Interview by Karim Aouifia

1- What are the implications of holding such an international conference on water in the current situation?

Csaba Kőrösi: The drama of water is unfolding as we speak. The not enough water, the too much water or the too polluted water. We are in the midst of the water crisis. We have to stop wastewater crises, we have to get this water crisis under control. Otherwise, all the progress what we're going to achieve in the implementation of the SDGs would be reversed, so we'd say, a real, historic watershed moment. We have to seize the opportunity. We have to create this opportunity.

2- What are your expectations vis-à-vis the outcome of the conference, especially when it comes to the SDG number six?

As I just mentioned, we are in the middle of the crisis, but the good news is that we see the driving forces of this crisis, we see the solutions we see and we understand the necessity of the cooperation and there is a good spirit now for the cooperation. So my expectations are very high. We need to create a moment that can be a little bit similar to what we achieved in 2015 in Paris, for the climate policies. It should be a breakthrough point. That is my real hope that we can achieve it at the end of this three days water conference. This water conference is being organized almost 50 years after the last one. We don't have another 50 years to wait

3- In Morocco, there is a deep awareness at the high level of the state about the importance of managing water. How do you evaluate and assess this, this policy?

Water storage is one of the key elements in renewing our water and climate policies. Water storage can be in many ways, building reservoirs to store more water in the ecosystem, or to store more water in the aquifers. And I would like to come into Morocco, for its very visionary policies to work on water conservation, and work on water storage as well. It will greatly help the economic development in Morocco and social and social development. I think Morocco has a very wise water policy.

4- Africa is one of the hardest hit regions when it comes to climate change, water scarcity and all the repercussions that come with that and what should the continent expect from this conference?

The good news is that Africa is already the main beneficiary of the UN system and your system policies are leaving no one behind. The same applies to the World Bank Group. More than 50% of the capital allocations of the World Bank Group is going to Africa. I think it will stay or maybe even increase in the years to come but the developing countries in general will benefit greatly if we do the work right here in the conference. However, this conference is not a forum where some other countries will come to tell the African countries what they have to do. It is an opportunity for the African countries themselves to come up with their own strategies with their own visions on how to integrate water and climate policies in their countries. How to align finances with projects and how to improve the education system and then seek cooperation from the international partners. I think that will be a good opportunity at this conference. If we can create an atmosphere and we can agree how to integrate water and climate policies. If we can agree that we need to create a global voter information system that will be a leapfrog and that will be absolutely crucial and beneficial for developing countries, including in Africa.

We need to create an education network in the world to produce more experts. Be them technicians will be the PhD scientists, Africa definitely needs to improve its pool of experts. I hope this network will help African countries. And last but not least, we need to rethink jointly. What does it mean to renew the economy of water? What does it mean in the modern economy? How to decouple the water use from food production and land use. If we can solve these questions here at this conference, even if we can agree on these major points, I think Africa and in general the developing countries will benefit from the common work and decisions greatly.

"I would like to come into Morocco, for its very visionary policies" that rely on water conservation and storage, Kőrösi said in an interview with M24, MAP's 24-hour news channel, on the occasion of the United Nations 2023 Water Conference, to be held on March 22-24 at the headquarters of the international organization.

He said that “water storage is one of the key elements in renewing our water and climate policies," noting that the storage of this vital source can be done in in many ways, including building reservoirs to store more water in the ecosystem, or to store more water in the aquifers.

This strategy, which includes a rationalized water use water and increasing the number of dams, “will greatly help” Morocco's economic and social development, added the president of the UN General Assembly, stressing that the Kingdom has a "very wise water policy.”

At the UN conference on water held for the first time in over five decades, Morocco will be represented by the Minister of Equipment and Water Nizar Baraka leading a large delegation. On this occasion, the Kingdom intends to reiterate its constant commitment and to plead with the international community for a better consideration of the water issue in the implementation of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.

Morocco also plans to reaffirm its ties with its partners, while expressing its willingness to share its experiences and best practices accumulated in the water field, within the framework of a solidary and active cooperation.

Referring to the challenges of this international conference for Africa, which is struggling with the impact of climate change and a succession of droughts and floods, the President of the UN General Assembly said that the countries of the continent will have the opportunity to propose "their own strategies with their own visions" on how to integrate water and climate policies.

It is also for African countries to discuss how to align finances with projects and how to improve the education system and strengthen cooperation with international partners in water management, he added.

The UN official also called for creating a global voter information system to train more experts, believing that these steps will benefit developing countries, including Africa. "Africa definitely needs to improve its pool of experts," he said.

He also expressed the hope that the conference would be a "real, historic watershed moment," similar to the one that led to the Paris climate agreement in 2015.

The UN Water Conference 2023, which will bring together heads of state and government, ministers and stakeholders, will be dedicated to the in-depth mid-term review of the implementation of the goals of the Decade for Action on Water 2018-2028, which was proclaimed by the UN GA, in December 2016.

The program of this event includes plenary meetings, a general debate, high-level interactive dialogues dedicated to water in relation to health, development, climate, resilience, environment and international cooperation, side events as well as exhibitions.

The United States deeply appreciates "the longstanding, historic and steadfast partnership with Morocco," said Blinken on this occasion.

Agreeing, Bourita stressed that the friendship between Morocco and the United States is strong, and that the partnership between the two countries has never been as strong as today, "a partnership based on common commitments to peace, stability and prosperity, which His Majesty King Mohammed VI appreciates."

During their meeting, the two senior officials also had the opportunity to consult on various regional and international issues, including the war in Ukraine, support for elections in Libya and the situation in the Sahel.

The United States has a long-standing, historic, and steadfast partnership with Morocco, which “has been such an important force for stability, peace, progress, and moderation," the U.S. Secretary of State stressed.

Blinken praised Morocco's "leadership" in working on the renewal of relations with Israel and in areas of critical importance to the world, including climate change and renewable energy, where Morocco has been a true leader.

Morocco and the United States work together in "so many different areas," said the U.S. top diplomat, who cited the military exercise "African Lion" to be held soon in Morocco.

Bourita's visit to Washington marks the momentum of regular exchanges between Morocco and the United States, which has intensified considerably over the past two years, with the visit to the Kingdom of many senior U.S. officials and the organization by Morocco of important joint events, including the ministerial meeting of the Global Coalition to Defeat ISIS in May and July 2022 or the U.S.-Africa Business Summit that served as a prelude to the U.S.-Africa Leaders Summit, hosted by President Joe Biden last December.

Blinken also hailed Morocco’s “leadership” in regional peace and stability with the renewal of relations with Israel as well as in climate change and renewable energy, stressing the close bilateral cooperation between Washington and Rabat in various areas of common interest.

Regarding military cooperation, the U.S. State Secretary pointed to the upcoming African Lion exercises that Morocco will be hosting.

During these talks, held within the framework of regular political consultations on the various aspects of the strategic partnership, Bourita underlined the “solid and historic friendship” between the two countries, noting that this partnership “has never been stronger as it is today”.

“His Majesty King Mohammed VI values this partnership based on our shared commitments for peace, stability, and prosperity,” the minister stressed.

Under the leadership of His Majesty King Mohammed VI and US President Joe Biden, the partnership between Rabat and Washington has experienced sustained momentum in all areas in recent years.

“Our discussions are always productive and constructive,” Bourita said, adding that the partnership between the two countries contributes to “serve our people but also peace and stability worldwide”.

Bourita's visit to Washington, marked by meetings with senior American officials both at the State Department and at the White House, is an opportunity to discuss the means aimed at further consolidating the Moroccan-U.S. strategic partnership as well as international and regional issues of common interest, particularly in the Middle East and Africa.

This trip confirms the dynamic of regular exchanges between Morocco and the United States, which has intensified considerably over the past two years, with the visit to the Kingdom of several senior U.S. officials.

"The Secretary noted the United States continues to view Morocco’s Autonomy Plan as serious, credible, and realistic," said the US State Department spokesperson in a release following talks between the State Secretary and the minister of Foreign affairs, African cooperation and Moroccans living abroad, Nasser Bourita.

During their talks, the Secretary of State and the minister of Foreign affairs, African cooperation and Moroccans living abroad voiced "their full support for United Nations Personal Envoy of the Secretary-General Staffan de Mistura in advancing an enduring and dignified political solution" to this regional conflict, the release added.

Mr. Bourita's visit to Washington is part of regular consultations on the various aspects of the strategic partnership binding Morocco and the United States.

The trip is an opportunity to discuss the means aimed at further consolidating the Moroccan-U.S. strategic partnership as well as international and regional issues of common interest.

"The Secretary expressed his appreciation for HM King Mohammed VI’s leadership and long-standing contribution to promoting stability and regional peace, including his efforts to promote a secure and prosperous future for Israelis and Palestinians", said the U.S. State Department spokesperson in a release issued following talks between the U.S. Secretary of State and the Moroccan minister of Foreign affairs, African cooperation and Moroccan Expatriates, Nasser Bourita.

On this occasion, the two officials "discussed efforts to advance regional peace and security, reflecting Morocco’s stabilizing role on a range of challenges in the Middle East and Africa," the release added.

"They discussed shared concerns over continuing violence in Israel and the West Bank and ongoing efforts to de-escalate tensions," the release said.

Bourita's visit to Washington, marked by meetings with senior American officials both at the State Department and at the White House, is an opportunity to discuss the means aimed at further consolidating the Moroccan-U.S. strategic partnership as well as international and regional issues of common interest.

The Moroccan top diplomat's visit is part of the ongoing consultations aimed at consolidating the strategic partnership between Morocco and the United States and to consult on various regional and international issues.

During this visit, Bourita will have a series of talks at the White House and the State Department, including with the head of American diplomacy, Antony Blinken. Under the leadership of His Majesty King Mohammed VI, and U.S. President Joe Biden, the partnership between Rabat and Washington D.C. has grown significantly in recent years in all areas.

The Minister’s visit will be an opportunity to consolidate this strong and longstanding bilateral strategic partnership between the two countries in a variety of areas and to discuss international and regional issues of mutual interest, particularly in the Middle East and Africa.

This special visit confirms the dynamic of regular exchanges between Morocco and the United States, which has intensified considerably over the past two years, with the visit to the Kingdom of many senior American officials.

At the political dialogue level, last year was notably marked by the visit of Secretary of State Antony Blinken to Rabat in March 2022. "We support His Majesty the King’s ambitious reform agenda to strengthen Moroccan institutions," the US Secretary of State said on the occasion.

Last year also saw the visit of Blinken’s assistant, Wendy Sherman, during the same month, then of the Under Secretary of State for Political Affairs, Victoria Nuland, in May 2022, and more recently, in January, Michèle Sisson, Assistant Under-Secretary of State for International Organization Affairs.

In addition, the CEO of the Millenium Challenge Corporation made two visits to Morocco last week and previously, in July 2022, headed a major US economic delegation. In December 2022, the MENA Coordinator at the White House National Security Council, Brett McGurk, also visited Rabat for high-level consultations.

The security consultations were part of the same dynamic of significant reinforcement, especially through the very first visit to Morocco by a Chief of Staff of the American Armies, General Mark Milley, last February.

Visits in 2022 by the Director of National Intelligence, Avril Haines, and the Head of the FBI, Christopher Wray, served to diversify and deepen the ever-growing multi-dimensional security partnership between the two countries.

Exchanges with the US Congress have also been intense, especially over the past three months, with the January visit of the Parliamentary Group on the Abraham Accords to the US Senate, then in February, a delegation of influential senators led by the president of the Foreign Affairs Committee and during March, of the Hispanic Parliamentary Group in the House of Representatives of the American Congress.

The latter visited Dakhla, marking the first visit of American elected officials to the Southern Provinces since the recognition by the United States of Morocco’s sovereignty over its Sahara in December 2020.

In exercising its right of reply, the Moroccan delegation recalled that the Kingdom contributed to the struggle for independence of the South African people, as part of its efforts to decolonize the continent, among others, by hosting and supporting its historic leader, the late Nelson Mandela.

As part of the work of the 52nd session of the Human Rights Council (HRC), Morocco has invited the South African delegation to more restraint on issues which it does not master the ins and outs, and for which it blindly follows a predefined thesis, which serves its political interests.

Instead of continuing to venture into politicizing the human rights issue, the Kingdom recommended that the South African delegation take the interest desired by the mandate holders in order to provide adequate responses to put an end to the numerous human rights violations committed on its territory.

The MASI.20, an index of the 20 most liquid stocks, increased by 0.37% to 836.05 points (pts).

Organized by the Ministry of Higher Education, Scientific Research and Innovation, in collaboration with the Conference of Hungarian Rectors and with the support of the Embassy of Hungary in Rabat and the Embassy of the Kingdom of Morocco in Budapest, this academic forum was marked by the presence of university presidents, academic leaders and representatives of institutions in charge of higher education, scientific research and innovation in both countries.

The Forum's opening ceremony was marked by the presence of the Minister of Higher Education, Scientific Research and Innovation Abdellatif Miraoui, the Ambassador of Hungary to Morocco Miklos Tromler, as well as the President of the Conference of Hungarian Rectors and Rector of the University Eötvös Loránd, László Borhy.

In a speech on this occasion, Miraoui stressed that the organization of this meeting reflects the particular importance that the two friendly countries give to the fields of higher education, scientific research, innovation and academic cooperation, considering that this forum provides a platform for discussion and debate on the opportunities offered by bilateral cooperation between the two countries.

He also commended the quality of bilateral relations in the field of higher education and scientific research, noting in this regard the increase in the number of scholarships allocated to Moroccan students to pursue their studies in Hungarian universities which have increased from 100 to 165 scholarships under the STIPENDIUM HUNGARICUM Program.

These scholarships cover several disciplines including medicine and health sciences, engineering, agriculture, humanities and social sciences for bachelor, master and doctoral levels.

For his part, Tromler highlighted the dynamism that characterizes the relations between Morocco and Hungary and both countries’ common desire to continue to expand the areas of their bilateral cooperation.

He emphasized the importance of this academic forum, which works to consolidate cooperation between Morocco and Hungary in the fields of scientific research and innovation.

On the sidelines of this 2nd Forum, Moroccan and Hungarian universities have signed six agreements to give new impetus to Moroccan-Hungarian cooperation in the field of higher education, scientific research and innovation.