Morocco faces long-term water challenges, says CESE president

During a meeting with the Club of Journalists Accredited in Morocco (CJAM), the president of the Economic, Social and Environmental Council (CESE), Ahmed Réda Chami, stated that Morocco is now experiencing structural water stress. While this statement may seem surprising, it's important to note that Morocco has been officially classified as under water stress since the early 2000s, with per capita freshwater resources below 1,000 m3/year, as highlighted in an IRES report.

Chami emphasized that Morocco is facing a long-term trend of decreasing precipitation, requiring a comprehensive response. He cited a study published in Nature where Australian researchers identified Morocco as one of five countries expected to experience a significant and measurable decline in rainfall over the next 50 years.

He cautioned that Moroccans might not fully appreciate the scarcity of water on the horizon, urging a change in consumption habits. While acknowledging the visionary dam policy initiated by King Hassan II, Chami stressed the need for further measures. He mentioned ongoing projects like small hill dams and alternative solutions such as seawater desalination.