ALJIHA POST
Tangier, Morocco – February 5, 2025
In a landmark development for regional sustainable development, the Tanger-Tétouan-Al Hoceima (TTA) Region formally signed a Framework Agreement to reinforce collaboration on the Water-Energy-Food-Ecosystems (WEFE) Nexus approach. The signing ceremony, held during the second edition of the WEFE Nexus Forum 2025 on February 5–6, underscored the critical importance of integrated resource management amid the challenges posed by climate change, demographic growth, and geopolitical uncertainties.
The Framework Agreement, endorsed by key national institutions—including the Ministry of Energy Transition and Sustainable Development, the Ministry of Agriculture, Maritime Fishing, Rural Development, Waters and Forests, and the Ministry of Equipment and Water—as well as the Association of Regions of Morocco and the Regional Council of Tanger-Tétouan-Al Hoceima, delineates a comprehensive strategy for intersectoral collaboration. The document articulates the mutual commitment of the signatories to align regional planning with the principles of the WEFE Nexus, aiming to maximize synergies among the water, energy, food, and ecosystems sectors.
Strategic Objectives and Scope
The primary objective of the Framework Agreement is to capitalize on the interdependencies between natural resources and development sectors. By fostering an integrated approach, the agreement seeks to:
Encourage Multilevel Partnerships: Establish collaborative frameworks that span international, national, and local levels by involving public entities, private sector stakeholders, territorial authorities, civil society, and research institutions.
Develop a Regional WEFE Nexus Strategy: Harmonize existing sectoral strategies and implement a coherent regional policy that supports sustainable resource management.
Promote Integrated Pilot Projects: Launch innovative, pilot projects branded under the WEFE Nexus initiative, thereby demonstrating the practical benefits of intersectoral synergy.
Enhance Community Engagement: Secure the active participation of local communities to ensure the long-term success and resilience of nexus-based projects.
Mobilize Financial Resources: Attract and deploy both national and international funding to support the implementation of nexus initiatives.
Facilitate Institutional Dialogue: Foster discussions among institutions on the integrated management of natural resources, ensuring that policy formulation and project execution are both coherent and effective.
Forum Themes and Implications for Sustainable Development
Under the banner “Multilevel Cooperation for Resilient Development: Putting the WEFE Nexus into Action,” the forum provided a platform for policymakers, experts, and international institutions to deliberate on innovative solutions for optimizing resource management. Participants emphasized the need to integrate the latest technological advancements with novel financing mechanisms and public-private partnerships to drive the region’s transition towards a resilient, inclusive, and sustainable development model.
The Framework Agreement represents a significant step in positioning the TTA Region as a pioneer in adopting integrated approaches to manage the intricate linkages between water, energy, food, and ecosystems. It is anticipated that this initiative will serve as a model for other regions seeking to enhance their sustainability and resilience in the face of emerging global challenges.
In summary, the commitment demonstrated through the signing of the Framework Agreement reinforces Morocco’s broader strategy for sustainable development. By systematically integrating the management of essential resources, the TTA Region is poised to not only address immediate environmental and socio-economic challenges but also to contribute to a more sustainable and resilient future on both regional and national scales.
