Latest news with #LallaHasnaa
Ya Biladi
05-07-2025
- Ya Biladi
Blue Flag flies high at Essaouira beach for 21st year in a row
The international Blue Flag was raised on Friday over Essaouira beach for the 21st consecutive year. Awarded annually by the Foundation for Environmental Education (FEE), the Blue Flag label has been promoted in Morocco since 2002 by the Mohammed VI Foundation for Environmental Protection, chaired by Princess Lalla Hasnaa. An official ceremony was held to celebrate the certification of the «City of Alizés» beach under the national Clean Beaches program. The event was attended by the Governor of the Province, Mohammed Rachid, along with representatives of local and security authorities, heads of external services, civil society actors, and other public figures. Speaking to MAP, Mohammed Hassou, Director of Ports for the Marrakech-Safi region, stressed that the recognition is the result of a collective effort to improve bathing water quality, upgrade beach infrastructure, promote environmental education, and ensure accessibility for people with disabilities. He added that the National Ports Agency (ANP), as a public institution, reaffirms its commitment to advancing environmental awareness and encouraging younger generations to take part in protecting the environment and preserving Morocco's coastal assets. For the occasion, awareness booths run by local associations and organizations were set up to educate beachgoers on eco-friendly habits and local environmental initiatives. This summer, the Blue Flag will fly over 28 beaches, a mountain lake, and four marinas across Morocco. With 33 certified sites, the country ranks 21st globally out of 50 participating nations. Morocco also holds the distinction of being the leading Arab country and second in Africa for the number of Blue Flag-certified locations — a demanding international ecolabel that recognizes exemplary environmental management of recreational water areas.
Ya Biladi
04-07-2025
- Ya Biladi
Blue Flag flies high at Essaouira beach for 21st year in a row
The international Blue Flag was raised on Friday over Essaouira beach for the 21st consecutive year. Awarded annually by the Foundation for Environmental Education (FEE), the Blue Flag label has been promoted in Morocco since 2002 by the Mohammed VI Foundation for Environmental Protection, chaired by Princess Lalla Hasnaa. An official ceremony was held to celebrate the certification of the «City of Alizés» beach under the national Clean Beaches program. The event was attended by the Governor of the Province, Mohammed Rachid, along with representatives of local and security authorities, heads of external services, civil society actors, and other public figures. Speaking to MAP, Mohammed Hassou, Director of Ports for the Marrakech-Safi region, stressed that the recognition is the result of a collective effort to improve bathing water quality, upgrade beach infrastructure, promote environmental education, and ensure accessibility for people with disabilities. He added that the National Ports Agency (ANP), as a public institution, reaffirms its commitment to advancing environmental awareness and encouraging younger generations to take part in protecting the environment and preserving Morocco's coastal assets. For the occasion, awareness booths run by local associations and organizations were set up to educate beachgoers on eco-friendly habits and local environmental initiatives. This summer, the Blue Flag will fly over 28 beaches, a mountain lake, and four marinas across Morocco. With 33 certified sites, the country ranks 21st globally out of 50 participating nations. Morocco also holds the distinction of being the leading Arab country and second in Africa for the number of Blue Flag-certified locations — a demanding international ecolabel that recognizes exemplary environmental management of recreational water areas.
Ya Biladi
02-07-2025
- Politics
- Ya Biladi
Morocco re-elected to UNESCO's Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission for 2025-2027 term
Morocco has been unanimously re-elected to the Executive Council of UNESCO's Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission (IOC) for the 2025–2027 term. The election took place on Wednesday at UNESCO headquarters during the 33rd session of the IOC Assembly, held from June 25 to July 3. According to a statement from Morocco's Permanent Delegation to UNESCO, this re-election reflects continued international recognition of the Kingdom's active and committed role in global ocean science and marine governance. Morocco's engagement within the IOC aligns with the royal vision to promote ocean preservation, protect marine biodiversity, support sustainable development of the blue economy, and foster inclusive, responsible governance of marine spaces. This commitment is also part of Morocco's broader efforts to contribute to the United Nations Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development (2021–2030), particularly through the key initiatives led by the Mohammed VI Foundation for Environmental Protection, chaired by Princess Lalla Hasnaa, patron of the Ocean Decade Alliance. The Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission is the only UN body entirely dedicated to the advancement of ocean science. It plays a central role in fostering international cooperation in marine research for the sustainable management of oceans, coastal areas, and marine resources. The IOC facilitates coordination among its Member States in crucial areas such as capacity building, ocean observation and services, scientific research, tsunami risk reduction, and raising public awareness about ocean issues.
Morocco World
09-06-2025
- Politics
- Morocco World
Princess Lalla Hasnaa Participates in Mediterranean Dialogue on Connectivity at UN Summit
Rabat – Princess Lalla Hasnaa, representing King Mohammed VI, took part on Monday in the 'Summit for a Connected Mediterranean,' held at the historic Palais des Rois Sardes in Nice. The event, led by French President Emmanuel Macron, brought together heads of state and government from Europe, the Mediterranean region, and the Gulf, along with representatives of international and regional organizations. Held on the margins of the third United Nations Ocean Conference (UNOC-3), the summit placed the Mediterranean at the heart of urgent conversations about the future of global connectivity. King Mohammed VI, in a message delivered by Princess Lalla Hasnaa at the summit, called on African nations to take greater ownership of their maritime spaces, describing the seas as vital to the continent's future. He welcomed the participation of African leaders at what he described as an 'unprecedented summit' focused on the continent's 30,000 kilometers of shared coastline. The King also lauded French President Emmanuel Macron for his dedication to ocean protection and urged African countries to move from recognizing the importance of marine resources to taking concrete steps to protect and develop them. He noted that while Africa's seas offer immense potential, they remain largely underexploited and poorly safeguarded. Far from a routine gathering, it marked a deliberate push to reimagine how countries around the sea relate to one another, by land, by sea, and through digital networks. The summit unfolded with a shared sense of purpose. Delegations laid out plans to improve transport infrastructure, expand digital links, and develop energy corridors. These announcements reflect a growing awareness that the region's future depends on cooperation rather than competition. Morocco's presence in this forum signaled its active role in shaping that future. Through the voice of Princess Lalla Hasnaa, the country expressed its commitment to building stronger bridges across the Mediterranean, geographically and politically. In a world where divisions deepen and environmental threats grow, the summit in Nice stood as a reminder that connectivity is not only about cables and roads, but about trust, vision, and a willingness to act together. Tags: Morocco france tiesPrincess Lalla HasnaaUN Ocean ConferenceUNOC-3
Morocco World
09-06-2025
- Politics
- Morocco World
King Mohammed VI Urges Stronger African Action to Protect, Benefit from the Ocean
Rabat – King Mohammed VI delivered a message at the 'Africa for the Ocean' Summit in Nice, calling on African countries to take greater ownership of their oceans and seas, which he described as vital to the continent's future. The message was read by Princess Lalla Hasnaa, who represented the King at the summit, co-chaired by French President Emmanuel Macron. The King commended President Macron for his commitment to ocean protection, and he welcomed the participation of African leaders in what he called an 'unprecedented summit' focused on Africa's shared coastline of more than 30,000 kilometers. The monarch's message spoke of the urgent need to move from simply recognizing Africa's ocean potential to truly taking ownership of its maritime future. He noted that while Africa's seas are rich in resources, they remain underutilized and poorly protected. 'The environment is a key element of ocean governance, but it is not its only facet. The ocean is also about our food sovereignty, our climate resilience, our energy security and our territorial cohesion,' the King said. The King outlined a three-pillar strategy to reshape Africa's relationship with the ocean. He said that the ocean economy, also called the 'blue economy,' is no longer a luxury, but a strategic necessity. He cited Morocco's own national strategy, which promotes sectors like sustainable aquaculture, offshore renewable energy, port development, marine biotechnology, and responsible coastal tourism. Projects like the Tanger Med port and the planned ports of Nador West Med and Dakhla Atlantic are part of this vision. In addition, King Mohammed VI called for more coordinated African efforts to manage the ocean collectively. He said Africa must work together to build safer trade routes, protect marine biodiversity, and gain a fair share of ocean resources. The monarch said that the Atlantic Ocean must be seen not just as a border, but as a space for shared development and cooperation. The King also called for better coordination between African policies on the Atlantic and for including landlocked Sahel countries in this maritime vision by offering them reliable sea access. He recalled Morocco's 'African Atlantic States Initiative' and the Morocco-Nigeria gas pipeline project as examples of strategic African integration. Ending his message, the King said the ocean should be seen as a space of peace, opportunity, and unity for Africa. 'The ocean is, and will remain, a link, a shared space which we must protect and turn into an area that promotes peace, stability and development.' Tags: AfricaKing Mohammed VIOcean
