Moroccan Prime Minister attends environmental summit of the Saudi Green Initiative and the Middle East Green Forum

Akhannouch visita Arabia Saudí en su primer viaje oficial

photo_camera Foto de archivo - Aziz Akhannouch, Prime Minister of Morocco

Aziz Akhannouch landed in Riyadh on Monday to take part in an environmental meeting within the framework of the Saudi Green Initiative and the Middle East Green Forum. In addition to environmental issues, Akhannouch will meet with Gulf leaders to discuss regional issues and strengthen bilateral relations. This is also Akhannouch's first trip as the new head of the Moroccan government and representative of King Mohammed VI after sweeping the last Moroccan elections and forming a coalition government with the PAM and Istiqlal.

Upon his arrival at King Khalid International Airport in the Saudi capital, the Alawi Prime Minister was received by Prince Mohammed Bin Abdulrahman, governor of the Riyadh region; Faisal Bin Abdulaziz Bin Ayyaf, regional mayor; Fahd Bin Zaid Al-Mutairi, director of the Riyadh police; and a representative of the Royal Protocol. 

arabia saudi

Saudi Arabia has, in recent years, developed measures to mitigate the effects of climate change. Like some of its neighbours in the region, such as the United Arab Emirates, Riyadh has drawn up several plans to reduce its carbon footprint. In this regard, the Kingdom has committed to reducing emissions by 2060. "I announce Saudi Arabia's goal of zero emissions by 2060 through a circular carbon economy strategy," said a Saudi representative at the summit.

In the shorter term, Riyadh hopes to reduce carbon emissions by 278 million tonnes per year by 2030. On the economic front, Saudi Arabia is 'trying to promote diversification' so as not to be as dependent on oil as its Emirati neighbour. 

petroleo arabia saudi

Morocco is also making efforts to combat climate change. Renewable energy has been high on Rabat's agenda since it began promoting it in the 2000s. For this reason, the Alawi kingdom has become a regional benchmark in this area. Moreover, Morocco has committed itself to achieving 52% renewable energy by 2030, while by 2050 it expects 100% of its energy consumption to be green.

Along these lines, Rabat launched last June the Green Partnership, an environmental initiative with the European Union. This agreement is, in the words of Olivér Varhélyi, European Commissioner for Enlargement and European Neighbourhood Policy, "proof of the common will of the Kingdom of Morocco and the European Union to strengthen their strategic relationship by working together on the energy and economic transition towards a clean and low-carbon model".

energia renovables marruecos

In this context, Morocco and Saudi Arabia, together with other countries, companies, international organisations and representatives of civil society, will discuss measures to protect the environment and combat the climate crisis. This summit in Riyadh comes shortly before the next world climate conference COP26, to be held in Scotland on 31 October and 12 November.

sequia oriente medio

Akhannouch's first official trip also demonstrates the desire to strengthen ties between Morocco and Saudi Arabia. Before travelling to Riyadh, the Moroccan prime minister met with Abdullah bin Saad Al-Ghaziri, the Saudi ambassador in Rabat. The diplomat, according to the embassy's official Twitter account, congratulated Akhannouch for the "royal confidence in his appointment". The two sides also noted "the distinguished bilateral relations between the two countries and the two brotherly peoples, as well as the ways to strengthen them in all fields," the embassy said. Al-Ghaziri also affirmed that the monarch Mohammed VI mandated Akhannouch to attend this summit given "the fraternal, historical, strategic and strong relations that are deeply rooted in all fields". 

marruecos-arabia saudi

Also noteworthy are recent statements by the Saudi ambassador to the United Nations. Abdullah Al Moullami reiterated his support for Moroccan sovereignty in the Western Sahara region. He stressed that he "rejects any violation of the supreme interests of the sovereignty and territorial integrity of the brotherly Kingdom of Morocco". However, this is not the first time that Riyadh has supported Rabat on this issue. Last April, Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan al-Saud confirmed his "unwavering support for Morocco's territorial unity".

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