The seminar, organized by the Moroccan Association for Forest Protection under the theme “Morocco’s forests: a strategic national asset and a pillar of environmental security and sustainable development,” was part of the national debate on protecting, enhancing and preserving Morocco’s forest resources. Participants stressed that forests are a strategic national asset whose importance extends beyond the environment to include natural balance, environmental security and sustainable development.
Azeddine Benjelloun Touimi, national president of the Moroccan Association for Forest Protection, said the association has drawn up an ambitious action plan centered on expanding reforestation efforts and restructuring and improving its work to strengthen its presence and role both nationally and internationally.
He said environmental and biodiversity protection is a shared national responsibility that requires the active involvement of all sections of society and citizens alongside the association’s structures. He stressed that raising awareness and educating the public are key to curbing violations affecting forest resources.
Benjelloun Touimi also stressed the importance of fieldwork and the use of modern tools and digital applications to report illegal practices and detect environmental and forest violations at an early stage. He called for close coordination with the relevant authorities to put an end to all forms of uncontrolled exploitation and destruction of this national resource.
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Nadia Skrih, a member of the association’s national office, said Morocco’s forests are more than natural spaces. They are a strategic national asset linked to environmental, water, soil, biodiversity and climate considerations, as well as a wide range of economic and social interests. She stressed that protecting them requires an integrated approach that moves beyond short-term management toward a proactive and sustainable policy based on prevention, scientific knowledge, sound management, responsible use of resources and stronger protection and monitoring mechanisms.
She stressed that preserving this national asset also requires building an environmental culture in which forest protection is seen as a shared responsibility, while strengthening cooperation between public institutions, elected officials, experts, researchers, civil society and citizens.
She concluded that the challenges facing Morocco’s forests are numerous, but so are the opportunities for action and progress, provided there is a clear vision, institutional coordination and sustained efforts. She said forest protection must be linked to sustainable development, adding that the real challenge is not simply to preserve what already exists, but to protect, develop and restore forest resources in a way that ensures they continue to serve their natural, economic and social functions for present and future generations.
The seminar also featured a presentation on the state and strategic importance of Morocco’s forest resources. Discussions covered the challenges of forest protection and sustainability, environmental security and forest risk prevention, ways to enhance the value of forest resources and their contribution to sustainable development, as well as prospects for cooperation and partnerships in forest protection.
