The Bou Ayyash Council gallery approaches the problem of the right to water…obstacles and efforts

In the context of the water emergency that the Kingdom is going through, experts and academics, on Saturday in Rabat, during a scientific symposium hosted by the corridor of the National Council for Human Rights at the International Publishing and Book Fair in its twenty-ninth edition, approached the problem of guaranteeing the right to water, especially in light of the state of water stress that Morocco is experiencing. How to reconcile maintaining and enhancing this right with maintaining the sustainability of water resources for future generations.

Seriousness and efforts

Moulay Idriss Al-Hasnaoui, in charge of a mission at the Ministry of Equipment and Water, said during his intervention on this occasion that “ensuring the right to water is an issue that is taken seriously, whether at the international level through the many agreements and mechanisms that stipulate it, or at the national level, where he referred to it.” The Kingdom’s Constitution of 2011, as well as other relevant laws.”

He highlighted that “Morocco has made tremendous efforts in this regard, which is reflected in some numbers, as the percentage of drinking water supply in the urban world reaches 100 percent, while this percentage in the rural world reaches about 98 percent.” However, he did not deny, on the other hand, that Morocco is facing critical stages at this level, especially in light of the successive years of drought and the impact of climate changes on national water resources.

Regarding the basic elements of the right to water, Al-Hasnawi explained that “the first element is the availability of water as a renewable resource, the ability to access and obtain water resources, the ability to bear the costs and cover the expenses associated with utilization, in addition to achieving the condition of quality and safety in terms of standards and controls that must be respected in This matter, and finally the consumer’s acceptance of these water resources placed at his disposal.” At the same time, he also mentioned a group of factors affecting obtaining water, such as water treatment in line with the uses allocated to it, the type of consumer, in addition to the type and category of housing, the size of residential communities, and other factors.

In the context of his talk about the current and future status of water resources in Morocco, the same speaker revealed that “these resources have declined by 15 to 20 percent, and the rate of decline in the future will reach about 40 percent,” noting that “climatic changes and the lack of precipitation in the face of successive years of drought, In addition, the excessive exploitation of water resources by those charged with management, and the spread of the culture of waste… are all factors that have contributed, along with other factors, to this decline.”

Obstacles and conflicts

For her part, Hanan Hamouda, Professor of Anthropology and Sociology at Mohammed V University in Rabat, said during her intervention on the approaches that must be adopted to rationalize human behavior and address the problem of scarcity of water resources, that “Morocco, by virtue of its geographical location, suffers from a set of natural and environmental problems resulting mainly from Expanding manifestations of ecological violence represented by climate change and the shrinkage of water brush, stressing that “these problems are now hindering the path of development in Morocco.”

The same university professor added that “Morocco has led in recent years a group of efforts to address various problems related to water and environmental systems and to limit the social, economic and spatial consequences and repercussions of this ecological and water crisis on various segments of Moroccan society,” highlighting in this regard that “the management of water resources in Morocco “It has historically been a measure of scarcity.”

She pointed out that “the current situation of water resources in Morocco, in the face of the increasing severity of climate change and its impact on water systems and the environment, necessarily requires taking more measures and taking measures to ensure the implementation of the development strategies in which Morocco has engaged, and addressing all problems related to water within the framework of a multidisciplinary approach.” “With the adoption of new programs to ensure water and food security and spatial justice.”

Hamouda concluded that “water as a natural resource has become at the heart of international and regional policy interactions and conflicts,” referring in this regard to the Sudanese-Egyptian-Ethiopian conflict over the Renaissance Dam and the waters of the Nile River. On another level, she recommended openness to universities and research laboratories in order for them to contribute to creating Answers to all these developmental, water and environmental dilemmas.

Coercions and contributions

Omar Al-Wedadi, coordinator of the Moroccan Climate Alliance, said in his intervention about the contribution of civil society to overcoming the problem of scarcity and depletion of water resources in Morocco, “The Kingdom has worked to modernize the legal arsenal related to water in order to confront the problems that this natural resource is known for, but the approach Legal law alone is not sufficient, especially since implementing these texts on the ground collides with a set of restrictions.”

Al-Wedadi explained that “the water problem, although it is linked to major factors, such as drought and global warming, it also involves problems at the level of governance and intervention strategies,” noting that “at the national level there is a national plan for potable water and irrigation water that extends until 2027, with a financial cover.” Respected, but finding solutions to the various problems facing us in this regard must be at the local level within the framework of integrated management of water resources.”

The same interventionist stressed the importance of civil society’s contribution to sensitization and awareness-raising efforts aimed at rationalizing consumer behaviour. However, he added, “The contribution of civil society to these efforts depends on its access to water information.” He also pointed out the need to encourage scientific research in the water field and in new agricultural techniques that do not deplete water, strengthen the capabilities of various actors and stakeholders, and advocate for modernizing the legal arsenal. Nationalism to keep pace with future challenges.