The EU and Morocco launch the first Green Partnership on energy, climate and the environment ahead of COP 27

The EU-Morocco Green Partnership was signed on the occasion on Executive Vice-President Timmermans’ visit to the Kingdom of Morocco on 18-19 October 2022. This is the first such EU initiative with a partner country as part of the external dimension of the European Green Deal.

Today, the European Union and the Kingdom of Morocco have consolidated their cooperation on protecting the environment, conserving biodiversity and fighting climate change with the launch of the EU-Morocco Green Partnership.

This is the first Green Partnership the EU signs with a partner country. It aims to advance the external dimension of the European Green Deal through action on the ground. Work will be developed across three main thematic axes: climate and energy; the environment including marine and maritime issues; and the green economy.

The Partnership will also look at ways to bridge Europe and Africa by joining forces with other countries and partners. It is expected to become a model for similar partnerships on the African continent, where Morocco already leads in terms of environmental and climate ambitions.

Welcoming this important milestone, the European Commission’s Executive Vice-President for the European Green Deal Frans Timmermans said: “Morocco is a leader in Africa when it comes to the fight against the climate crisis and environmental degradation. The Green Partnership that we have concluded today harnesses our joint commitment to take action against climate change and to grasp the economic opportunities inherent in the green transition. Together, the European Union and the Kingdom of Morocco can set the course for a healthy climate, a thriving environment, and prosperity for all.”

This Green Partnership will allow the EU and Morocco to:

• progress towards their common goals of becoming low-carbon, climate-resilient economies and transition to a green economy;
• strengthen early policy dialogue and coordination on energy, climate change, environmental protection and the green economy at bilateral, regional and multilateral levels;
• foster innovative, sustainable, job-creating and environmentally friendly projects;
• develop triangular cooperation with other international actors to encourage a stronger commitment to achieving the goals of the Paris Agreement and collectively advance the global climate agenda.

The EU-Morocco Green Partnership is also one of the Flagships of the European Investment Plan annexed to the Joint Communication on a Renewed European partnership with the Mediterranean. Under the multilateral angle, this Partnership sends an important political signal of shared ambition ahead of COP27.

Work on setting up the partnership was initiated last year at a high-level eventSearch for available translations of the preceding linkEN••• co-chaired by European Commission’s Executive Vice-President for the European Green Deal Frans Timmermans and H.E. the Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Kingdom of Morocco, Mr Nasser Bourita.

Overall, the EU partnership with Morocco is already the deepest and most comprehensive with any country in Africa and still has the highest potential. The Partenariat Vert is an important step in scaling up even further our cooperation on energy, climate and the environment; and accelerating the green transition on both shores of the Mediterranean.

During his visit to Morocco, Executive Vice-President Frans Timmermans met with counterparts from Moroccan institutions, as well as representatives from the private sector and the youth. The visit was an important moment to cement relations and reaffirm our joint ambition and determination to tackle global challenges.