RESOUNDING SUCCESS OF THE 1ST INTERNATIONAL CONGRESS ON OASES
AND DATE PALM
Ouarzazate – The first edition of the International Congress on Oases and Date Palm, held on May 29 and 30 in Ouarzazate, was a resounding success in many ways. Held under the High Patronage of His Majesty King Mohammed VI, this event was marked by the participation of 200 researchers and doctoral students, who presented nearly 70 oral communications and 60 posters, as well as an attendance of 400 participants. This international congress, which brought together experts, researchers, and professionals from Morocco and beyond, served as a platform for knowledge sharing, fruitful exchanges, and the strengthening of initiatives aimed at promoting the sustainability and development of oases and date palm cultivation.
Over the two days of the congress, participants had the opportunity to attend rich and constructive conferences, innovative research presentations, and practical demonstrations. Organized by the Ministry of Agriculture, Maritime Fisheries, Rural Development, and Water and Forests, the event also provided an opportunity to explore the latest scientific, technical, and social advancements in oasis management, biodiversity protection, water conservation, and sustainable economic development. Among the highlights of the congress were captivating presentations by world-renowned experts, who shared their in-depth knowledge on date palm cultivation, sustainable agricultural practices, natural resource management, governance, territorial development, and many other related topics. These two days of scientific and technical discussions allowed participants to assess the current state of oasis environments, raise awareness among all stakeholders involved in this ecosystem about its importance and challenges, and propose appropriate solutions based on scientific findings and success stories.
The opening of the congress, presided over by the Minister of Agriculture, Maritime Fisheries, Rural Development, and Water and Forests, Mohammed Sadiki, featured presentations on the status of oases at both national and international levels, as well as a panel dedicated to water— the scarcest resource in these ecosystems and a pillar of their resilience.
Parallel sessions followed, structured around four key themes:
The dynamics of the oasis ecosystem
The date palm, pillar of the oasis ecosystem
Valorization and socio-economics
Governance and territorial development
On the sidelines of the congress, Mr. Sadiki chaired a roundtable on the Sustainable Oases Initiative," held in preparation for the ministerial meeting scheduled for early October 2023 regarding the implementation of the objectives set by the initiative. This initiative was launched by Morocco during the Climate Conference of the Parties (COP22) in Marrakech in November 2016. All participants in this roundtable expressed their support for the initiative and their willingness to collaborate with the Kingdom to operationalize it. It was agreed to hold an interministerial meeting in early October to finalize the establishment of institutional structures that will implement the initiative’s objectives.
At the conclusion of the congress, participants emphasized the importance of continuing efforts to promote the sustainability and preservation of oases and date palm cultivation. They called for collective action to safeguard these unique ecosystems and support the communities that depend on them.