AGP Executive Report

Flood & Storm Watch: Morocco’s General Directorate of Meteorology warns thunderstorms will keep hitting through Wednesday, with heavy rain expected in southern provinces and parts of the Atlas, Rif and Saiss—while flooding already disrupted roads linking Smara with Laayoune and Tan-Tan, forcing temporary closures. Plastic Pollution: Greenpeace reports plastic pollution is costing Morocco $1.2 billion a year, adding pressure on waste management and prevention efforts. Climate Finance: Morocco has been approved for a €349 million World Bank loan aimed at climate and disaster risk financing. Biodiversity & Nature Resilience: A new piece highlights how protecting marine ecosystems can restore coral and revive wildlife and tourism—an argument Morocco can draw on as it weighs coastal and reef pressures. Trade & Ports: Morocco ranked third among Spain’s maritime trade partners in 2025, with 26.3 million tons handled and Spain exporting more to Morocco than importing. Environment Tech: Research from Morocco explores federated learning for IoT, keeping sensor data local to cut privacy and network burdens.

Severe Weather Watch: Morocco’s meteorology service issued an orange alert for locally heavy thunderstorms with hail and strong gusts in southern provinces (Boujdour, Oued Eddahab, Aousserd) and parts of the south (Laayoune, Smara, Tarfaya), with 50–80mm of rain expected and dense cloud lingering into Wednesday. Plastic Pollution Costs: A Greenpeace MENA report says plastic pollution is costing Morocco about MAD 12 billion a year (0.8% of GDP), with mismanaged waste feeding both Mediterranean damage and wider coastal impacts. Climate Finance: Morocco has approved a €349 million World Bank loan aimed at climate and disaster risk financing, targeting resilience and risk management. Agri-Food Trade: Morocco’s agri-food exports to the EU reached €2.66 billion in the first seven months of 2026, with fresh fruit and vegetables still leading despite some volume declines. Marine Trade Links: Morocco ranked third among Spain’s maritime trade partners in 2025, with 26.3 million tons handled and Spain exporting more to Morocco than importing by sea.

Severe Weather Watch: Morocco’s meteorology service says thunderstorms will keep rolling through Wednesday, with 50–80mm rain expected in Boujdour, Oued Eddahab and Aousserd, plus 30–50mm in Laayoune, Smara and Tarfaya, alongside strong winds and cooling. Orange Alert: An orange-level warning was issued for locally heavy storms with hail and gusts in the same southern provinces, valid Monday 2pm to Tuesday 11pm. Plastic Pollution Costs: A Greenpeace MENA report puts Morocco’s plastic pollution bill at about MAD 12 billion ($1.2bn) a year (0.8% of GDP), driven by mismanaged waste and marine damage in the Mediterranean—while noting the Atlantic coast adds more impact. Phosphate Turns Strategic: A new analysis highlights how Morocco’s phosphate is becoming a geopolitical priority as fertiliser supply shocks ripple through food security and input costs. Flood-Response Training: Maroc Mantlet 2026 revisited lessons from 2025–2026 flooding, with joint drills between Moroccan rescue forces and the Utah National Guard to improve disaster response coordination. Agri-Food Exports: Morocco logged €2.66bn in agri-food exports to the EU in the first seven months of 2026, up year-on-year, with fresh produce still leading. Biodiversity & Nature Reclaiming: Aerial photos show an abandoned theme park site reclaimed by nature—an indirect reminder of how land can shift when upkeep and planning stall.

Weather Watch: Morocco’s General Directorate of Meteorology has issued an orange alert for Sunday in southern provinces, with heat up to 40°C plus thunderstorms, hail and strong gusts in places like Oued Eddahab and Boujdour. Climate & Risk Finance: Morocco has approved a €349 million World Bank loan aimed at climate and disaster risk financing, targeting faster, better-prepared responses to shocks. Biodiversity Spotlight: A new report flags that 17,000 hectares of forest are degraded each year in Morocco, raising fresh concerns for habitat loss and ecosystem health. Regional Cooperation: Morocco is pushing stronger Arab action on climate resilience, calling for tighter coordination across the region. Tourism & Aviation (Sustainability Angle): MEADFA’s 25th conference in Rabat (15–17 Nov) is set to focus on sustainability and AI alongside aviation and tourism growth, with registrations already passing 300. Diplomacy & Environment Link: A policy paper argues that migration deals, including any diaspora fund, must align Morocco’s youth needs with strategic interests and Europe’s security goals to stay durable.

Heat & Storm Watch: Southern Morocco is under an orange alert with temperatures reaching 40°C and thunderstorms, hail and strong gusts expected in places like Guelmim, Tan-Tan, Taroudant, Laayoune and Oued Eddahab, with unstable weather also forecast to return early next week. Climate Finance: Morocco has approved a €349.1 million World Bank loan for climate and risk financing, aimed at strengthening how the country manages climate-related financial risks. Disaster Preparedness: Qatar Red Crescent Society hosted IFRC’s ShakeSmart workshop for MENA partners, focusing on practical earthquake risk communication and drills built around “drop, cover and hold on.” Biodiversity Spotlight: A report highlights the survival story of Morocco’s sand cat, underlining the need to protect rare wildlife. Migration Returns Scrutiny: New testimonies from Ceuta raise questions about whether some “voluntary” returns to Morocco were actually forced, while authorities dispute the claims.

Climate Finance: Morocco has approved a €349.1 million World Bank loan for climate and risk financing, aiming to strengthen how the country manages climate-related financial shocks. Heat & Storm Alerts: Authorities issued orange alerts as a heatwave and strong thunderstorms are expected to hit several provinces, with temperatures climbing toward 40°C. Disaster Preparedness: Qatar Red Crescent Society hosted IFRC’s ShakeSmart workshop for MENA partners, focusing on practical earthquake risk communication and drills built around “drop, cover, and hold on.” Remittances Watch: Moroccans abroad sent MAD 89.22 billion in remittances by end-August 2026 (+9%), alongside higher travel receipts and a widening trade deficit. Biodiversity Spotlight: A sand cat cub’s reunion with its mother in Morocco’s desert was captured via trap cameras, highlighting the value of non-intrusive wildlife monitoring. Governance & Reform: Morocco’s new welfare-focused political agenda is under scrutiny for its cost and sustainability, with major promises tied to pensions, electricity support, and jobs.

Climate Finance: Morocco has approved a €349.1 million World Bank loan for climate and risk financing, aiming to strengthen how the country manages climate-related financial shocks. Extreme Weather Alerts: Morocco’s meteorology service issued orange alerts for a heatwave (36–40°C in several southern provinces) and strong thunderstorms with hail and gusty winds, urging people to avoid flood-prone areas. Forest Protection: Experts and civil society in Rabat warned that drought, overgrazing and wood harvesting are degrading nearly 17,000 hectares of forest each year, calling for stronger reforestation, monitoring, and digital reporting of environmental offences. Clean Energy Push: Morocco Energy Leaders and the Clean Energy Business Council signed a cooperation deal to speed up renewable energy, green hydrogen and Power-to-X projects, plus climate finance and cross-border investment. Disaster Preparedness: QRCS hosted an IFRC-backed ShakeSmart workshop to turn earthquake communication tools into practical, culturally tailored public awareness plans across MENA. Wildlife Story: A sand cat cub in Morocco’s desert was filmed reuniting with its mother after days of uncertainty, highlighting the value of non-intrusive monitoring.

Heat & Storm Alerts: Morocco’s meteorology office issued orange alerts for a heatwave (36–40°C) and strong thunderstorms with hail and gusty winds across multiple provinces, urging caution against flooding and high winds. Forest Protection: Experts and civil society in Rabat called for stronger measures to safeguard Morocco’s forests as nearly 17,000 hectares are degraded each year, citing overgrazing and excessive wood harvesting. Clean Energy Push: Morocco Energy Leaders and the Clean Energy Business Council signed a cooperation deal to boost renewable energy, green hydrogen, Power-to-X, climate finance, and cross-border investment. Biodiversity Hope: A human-led migration project in Spain welcomed new northern bald ibises, linking back to Morocco’s earlier reintroduction efforts after the species’ collapse in the wild. Water & Land Resilience (Arab Action): Morocco urged stronger Arab cooperation on desertification, drought, water management, and nature-based solutions during the Council of Arab Ministers Responsible for the Environment in Cairo. Logistics & Trade: DHL designated Morocco a priority “Geographic Tailwinds” market, pointing to its role as a bridge between Europe and Sub-Saharan Africa.

Climate Resilience & Water-Energy Transition: Morocco is moving to cut fossil power while boosting renewables with the Ifahsa pumped hydropower storage project near Chefchaouen: a 300 MW “giant rechargeable battery” meant to add at least 1 GW of solar and wind, backed by ONEE and the energy ministry, with World Bank support and major CO2 savings. Weather Watch: Morocco’s General Directorate of Meteorology warns of heatwave conditions (36–42°C in parts of the Sahara) alongside thunderstorms, possible hail, and strong winds across multiple provinces through the weekend. Biodiversity & Conservation: Northern bald ibises—once extinct in Europe—are being guided and reintroduced, with Morocco’s past wild population decline highlighted as captive breeding and reintroduction efforts continue. Regional Environment Diplomacy: Morocco reaffirmed its role in Arab environmental action in Cairo, stressing cooperation on desertification, drought, water and food security, ecosystem protection, and nature-based solutions. Trade & Logistics for Sustainability: DHL has added Morocco to its “Geographic Tailwinds” priority markets, pointing to Morocco’s role as a bridge between Europe and Africa and its growing logistics and industrial capacity. Governance & Accountability: Amnesty International reports alleged Pegasus-linked surveillance targeting journalists and activists, renewing debate over Morocco’s use of techno-authoritarian tools.

Heat & Storm Alerts: Morocco’s meteorology office warns of a heatwave (36–42°C) in Oued Ed-Dahab, Boujdour, Laayoune, Es-Semara and Aousserd, alongside thunderstorms (20–25mm) with possible hail and strong winds in provinces including Taourirt, Al Haouz, Taza, Guercif, Sefrou and Boulemane, with unsettled conditions expected to continue into the weekend. Clean Power Push: Near Chefchaouen, ONEE’s Ifahsa pumped hydropower storage project (300MW) is set to act like a “giant rechargeable battery,” helping Morocco integrate more solar and wind while cutting fossil-fuel electricity and CO2 emissions. Water-Energy Resilience: The project’s grid support aims to unlock about $1B in private investment and create hundreds of jobs during construction. Rights & Oversight in Tindouf: UN rights debate in Geneva spotlights losses tied to the Infravest collapse in the Tindouf camps, with advocates arguing weak oversight can expose vulnerable communities to exploitation. Wildlife Filming Spotlight: National Geographic’s new Africa nature series highlights Morocco’s presence (Erg Chebbi) as it documents biodiversity across the continent.

Renewables & Climate Learning: A Grenada delegation visited Morocco for a renewable energy learning mission hosted by MASEN, touring Tangiers I wind, Noor Ouarzazate, and Casablanca’s renewable cluster to study policy, financing, and project delivery. Airports & Connectivity: AfDB and Morocco signed a €270M financing deal to extend and modernize airport infrastructure (PEMIA), targeting hubs like Marrakech, Agadir, Fez, and Tangier. Disaster Risk & Policy Reform: Morocco advanced disaster risk management with OECD-backed reforms, aiming to turn climate and resilience plans into on-the-ground results. Marine Pollution & Regulation: Gibraltar’s environment minister said ship-to-ship refuelling will continue until Spain and Morocco curb the practice, warning of pollution risks in the Strait of Gibraltar and calling for coordinated action. Innovation & Knowledge: WIPO’s Global Innovation Index 2026 highlights Morocco’s rising innovation rank and notes AI-driven R&D and venture capital momentum. Governance Milestone: Morocco appointed Fatima Ezzahra El Mansouri as head of government, adding another high-level women-in-leadership chapter to the country’s political landscape.

Investment Climate & Infrastructure: A new U.S. report says Morocco is actively courting foreign investment, pitching sectors like automotive, aeronautics, textiles, energy and agribusiness, and highlighting its “gateway to Africa” strategy backed by FTAs and major roads, rail, ports and airport expansion. Renewables Learning Mission: Morocco hosted a renewable energy learning mission (Grenada) via MASEN, with technical visits to Tangiers I wind, Noor Ouarzazate and Casablanca’s renewable cluster. Air-Rail Integration Push: Morocco’s high-speed rail link to Casablanca Airport is framed as a make-or-break step toward seamless single-ticket intermodality. Climate & Disaster Risk: Morocco is also advancing disaster risk management with OECD-backed reforms, while a separate index flags high disaster risk for 2026. Food & Water Stress: Reports warn that winter veg costs are rising as heating and lighting drive up greenhouse production expenses, and tomato growers in Souss Massa keep facing water shortages. Biodiversity & Farming Uncertainty: Morocco’s raspberry season has started in Agadir, but producers say forecasting is harder as weather disrupts yields and export volumes. Governance Milestone: King Mohammed VI appointed Fatima Ezzahra El Mansouri as Morocco’s first woman head of government, with coalition talks ahead.

Disaster Risk Watch: Morocco ranks 45th in the 2026 WorldRiskIndex, in the “high risk” category, with a disaster risk score of 12.59—driven by exposure to extreme natural events and social vulnerability. Climate & Resilience Finance: At the AIIB annual meeting in Doha, IsDB chief Muhammad Al Jasser urged multilateral banks to move from coordination to joint delivery, pushing country-led planning and long-term partnerships to turn climate policy reforms into resilient infrastructure. Aviation Upgrade: Morocco and the AfDB signed a €270M deal in Casablanca to extend and modernize airport infrastructure, targeting capacity boosts in hubs like Marrakech, Agadir, Fez and Tangier. Transport Integration: Morocco’s high-speed rail link to Casablanca Airport is framed as a legal and operational challenge—aiming for a seamless air-rail single-ticket experience. Wildlife Note: A French photographer captured a sand cat, one of the world’s most elusive felines, spotlighting Morocco-region biodiversity interest.

Disaster Risk Watch: Morocco ranks 45th in the 2026 WorldRiskIndex, in the “high risk” category, with a disaster risk score of 12.59 tied to extreme hazards and climate-driven vulnerability. Climate & Weather: A “Godzilla” El Niño is intensifying, with sea temperatures far above average and forecasts pointing to more flooding, drought and heat impacts into next year. Heat Records: Morocco recorded the hottest start to September since 1981, adding pressure to already stressed water and ecosystems. Biodiversity Spotlight: A French photographer captured rare sand cat images in Morocco’s desert, highlighting how elusive wildlife depends on protecting fragile habitats. Water & Agriculture Pressure: A report on solar competitiveness notes Morocco’s solar financing trends, while broader climate extremes underline the need for resilient energy and farming systems. Sustainable Tourism: Morocco’s position in the World Economic Forum’s Travel & Tourism Development Index improves, signaling better enabling conditions for greener, more resilient travel. Mining & Environment: KiwiPhos begins phosphate mining in New Zealand after decades, reigniting debate over pollution and human-rights concerns linked to phosphate supply chains.

Climate & Weather Watch: Morocco saw its hottest start to September since 1981, with major heat episodes pushing records in places like Sidi Slimane, Kenitra, Sale and Laayoune, according to the meteorology directorate. Relief After Heat: Rain then moved across northern and central regions, with the DGM saying temperatures eased back toward seasonal norms after several unusually warm days. Disaster Risk Management: An OECD report highlights Morocco’s progress on disaster risk governance, including a Chief Risk Officer role, a National Risk Observatory, and expanded early-warning and monitoring capacity. Clean-Tech Industry: A new EU mapping report points to Morocco as a leading Euro-Mediterranean manufacturing base for clean technologies, especially in batteries and EV supply chains, leveraging phosphate resources and industrial infrastructure. Sustainability on Campus: Euromed University of Fez topped Morocco in the 2026 UI GreenMetric rankings for sustainability and environmental management. Wildlife Spotlight: A French photographer captured rare sand cat images in Morocco’s desert, bringing attention to one of the world’s most elusive felines. Blue Economy: Mauritania participated in Morocco’s first Blue Africa Summit in Tangier, focused on coastal challenges and sustainable “blue economy” cooperation.

Heat and rain watch: Morocco’s September opened with record-breaking heat, with the General Directorate of Meteorology reporting the hottest first 20 days of the month since 1981, including new September highs in places like Sidi Slimane and Kenitra—then a low-pressure system brought rain and localized thunderstorms across northern and central areas, easing temperatures back toward seasonal norms. Disaster risk governance: An OECD-backed report says Morocco has strengthened disaster risk management, including a Chief Risk Officer role, a National Risk Observatory, and expanded early-warning capacity with hundreds of automatic stations and multiple radar and detection systems. Low-carbon transport gap: A new IMPROVE/GIZ reference study flags a key policy gap: Morocco lacks mandatory vehicle fuel-economy standards and fuel-economy labeling, even as transport drives a large share of emissions and the vehicle fleet keeps growing. Clean-tech momentum: An EU industrial mapping highlights Morocco as a leading Euro-Mediterranean clean-tech manufacturing base, especially for batteries and EV supply chains, leveraging phosphate resources and industrial infrastructure. Sustainability ranking: Euromed University of Fez topped Morocco in the 2026 UI GreenMetric rankings, scoring highest nationally for campus sustainability and environmental management.