Initiated by the High Commission for Water and Forests and the Fight against Desertification under the theme "Let us all act to limit land degradation by taking into account zonal specificities", two days were organised to celebrate the World Day to Combat Desertification in the Southern provinces. An occasion to inquire about the progress of the implementation of programmes specific to this eco-region and an opportunity for a debate, a scientific and technical exchange around themes related to Saharan ecosystems based on acacia raddiana.

According to a press release from the organisers in the southern regions of the Kingdom, the programme to combat desertification is articulated around the rehabilitation of the acacia raddiana steppe, through regeneration and silvo-pastoral improvement operations, the fixation of continental and coastal dunes, the creation of green belts near cities, the reintroduction of Saharan fauna species, the protection of their natural habitats and the valorisation of the goods and services offered by these ecosystems.

During these two days, the organisation of the forestry research conference on acacia raddiana and the signing of an agreement for an integrated project for the sustainable management of natural resources in the Smara province took place, as well as field visits to acacia rehabilitation perimeters, dune fixation and the arboretum of Saharan species.

These activities saw the participation of representatives of the Agency for the Promotion and Development of the Southern Provinces, the Social Development Agency, the Royal Moroccan Hunting Federation, scientific research institutions, the public administrations concerned, regional and local authorities, elected bodies and NGOs.

As a reminder, Morocco is among the first countries to sign the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD), ratified in 1996. Since then, our country has adopted a National Action Plan to Combat Desertification (PAN-LCD) based on four pillars, namely the fight against poverty, integrated rural development, the mitigation of the effects of drought and the conservation management of natural resources. The implementation of this plan (PAN-LCD) has recorded significant achievements within the framework of the ten-year programme (2005-2014) of the HCEFLCD. This programme was updated, enriched and adapted in 2012 to zonal specificities according to a differentiated approach for a better understanding of the phenomenon.