The World Bank has just presented the plan for the sustainable management of the coastline in the region of Rabat-Salé-Kénitra, in the north of Morocco. This extensible plan, whose implementation extends until 2040, aims to promote the sustainable development of the coasts through a number of activities, sectors and land use patterns.
Human activities in the Rabat-Salé-Kénitra region in northern Morocco will henceforth be carried out using an economic-environmental and regional approach. This is one of the provisions of the 2021-2040 roadmap for the sustainable development of the coastline in this region. The first Rabat-Salé-Kénitra Regional Coastal Plan, drawn up by the World Bank with the support of the Italian government, was presented on January 13th, 2021. “Through this evidence-based, participatory approach, we can help preserve the resilience of this region and ensure sustainable development for future generations,” said Jesko Hentschel, World Bank Director of Operations for the Maghreb.
The scheme includes investments in green and sustainable activities along the coast. These include the organisation of small-scale fishing and training of fishermen in best practices, the ecological rehabilitation of coastal wetlands, the construction of wastewater treatment plants in certain localities, the biological stabilisation of dunes and the recycling and recovery of plastic waste.
The Rabat-Salé-Kénitra Regional Coastal Plan is somewhat modelled on the National Plan for Integrated Coastal Management (PNL), launched by Morocco in 2019. Except that the work of the World Bank is distinguished by its regional and concerted approach. For to respond to local realities, the Bretton Woods institution has conducted consultations with various stakeholders in coastal development, including fishermen, professional associations, civil society organisations, scientists and farmers.
In a perspectivist approach, the World Bank, with the support of the Moroccan government, has designed a methodological guide for the implementation of regional coastal plans, in order to extend this innovative and integrated approach to coastal management to other regions.
Boris Ngounou
