Morocco and the UN celebrate in New York the argan tree, endemic tree of the Kingdom

Morocco and the United Nations celebrated, Wednesday in New York, the international day of the argan tree under the theme “Local socio-economic development and sustainability of the argan ecosystem” .

A high-level panel was organized for this purpose under the chairmanship of the Ambassador, Permanent Representative of Morocco to the UN, Omar Hilale, with the participation, via a pre-recorded video, of the Minister of Agriculture, Maritime Fisheries, Rural Development and Water and Forests, Mohamed Sadiki, as well as the Deputy Secretary-General of the United Nations, Amina Mohammed, the Director of the UNESCO Office in New York and the Director of the Division of management and administration at UN-Women.

Also taking part via videoconference were the Director General of the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) and the Director of the Country Programming Division of the Green Climate Funds (GCF).

Speaking at the opening of this meeting, Mr. Hilale stressed that this international day is an “invitation” to celebrate a mythical tree that makes Morocco stand out, as well as to highlight its important contribution to socio-economic development. populations, especially in rural areas.

He noted that the proclamation of this day by the UN General Assembly in March 2021 reflects the mobilization of the international community in favor of the preservation and development of the argan tree, this symbol of resilience and biodiversity which serves a panoply of objectives within the framework of the UN’s 2030 sustainable development agenda.

Expressing his pleasure to see this day celebrated for the third consecutive year with the effective involvement of the various stakeholders and international partners, the diplomat noted that Morocco aims to make this celebration a « catalyst » for international cooperation in the to support the socio-economic fabric of the argan tree and promote the empowerment of women and entrepreneurs, particularly in rural areas.

It is also a question of cooperating more, within this framework, with the actors of the civil society, the scientists and the local producers to create value in this important sector, he added.

For his part, the Minister of Agriculture, Maritime Fisheries, Rural Development and Water and Forests stressed that the celebration of the International Argan Day represents the culmination of Morocco’s efforts, under the wise leadership of His Majesty King Mohammed VI, aimed at achieving the integrated development of the argan tree biosphere reserve, which is the first in Morocco to be recognized by UNESCO.

This is a recognition of the importance of the effective role of the argan tree in the preservation of local ecosystems, despite climate change and negative anthropogenic effects, noting that the agro-sylvo-pastoral system based on the argan tree has been recognized by FAO as an agricultural heritage system of global significance due to integrated agroforestry practices.

Mr. Sadiki pointed out that Morocco has adopted committed strategies, programs and projects to rehabilitate and develop the argan biosphere reserve, pointing out that the agricultural development strategy, “Green Morocco Plan”, put in place between 2008 and 2020, favored a strong sector approach implemented through the “argan tree program contract” between professionals and the State.

Referring to the key achievements that have contributed significantly to the restoration and effective preservation of natural capital, the Minister cited the support for the inclusive restructuring of the value chain, the structuring of actors in the interprofessional organization and the mobilization applied scientific research.

He also specified that more than 180,000 hectares of argan forests have been rehabilitated, and 10,000 hectares of argan orchards have been planted in partnership with the Green Climate Fund (GCF), noting that this approach has strengthened the Kingdom’s “Nationally Determined Contribution” in terms of reducing emissions and adapting to climate change.

He pointed out that more than 850 women’s cooperatives and 500 private companies are active mainly in the processing, valorization and marketing of argan tree products, adding that a turnover of more than 100 million dollars has been achieved in 2022, when the value of exports to the international market stood at $38 million.

According to the Minister, the development of the argan sector is mainly based on the “Green Generation 2020-2030” and “Forests of Morocco 2020-2030” strategies. These two strategies aim to continue the planting program of 50,000 hectares by 2030, and the rehabilitation of 400,000 hectares of forest area according to a sustainable management model based essentially on contractualization for the participatory protection of the vital area of ​​​​the argan tree. , the improvement of productivity, the revival of Argan oil exports and the promotion of scientific research, he further noted.

It also aims to produce 10,000 tons of argan oil and 50% bottled argan oil by 2030, the manager concluded.

For his part, the director of the National Agency for the Development of Oasis Zones and the Argan Tree (Andzoa), Brahim Hafidi indicated that Morocco, aware of the undeniable value of this green heritage, embarked early on in the preservation and enhancement of this singular tree, by deciding, in accordance with the High Royal Instructions, the creation on November 11, 2009, of this national agency.

Andzoa works to support vast oasis and Argan tree areas by guaranteeing access to basic services (electricity, drinking water, road development) and contributing to the education and health sectors, as well as economic activities, including agriculture, he said.

In commemoration of this international day celebrated on May 10 each year, a two-week photo exhibition highlighting the argan tree was inaugurated at the United Nations headquarters in New York. The photos, which are the work of Said Oubrahim and Fadel Brahim, give an overview of the specificities of this tree registered in the intangible cultural heritage of humanity and which is an ancestral source of sustainable and resilient development.

Similarly, a reception was organized in honor of the community of ambassadors and officials of the United Nations system, to taste the products of the Argan and discover the offer of local Moroccan cooperatives, and this to the rhythms of the Moroccan ancestral music of Gnaoua.