Circular Economy to Become Necessary to Foster Sustainable Economic Development, Minister Says

28 February 2022 Printable Version

Nairobi - Circular economy is more than an economic opportunity for Africa, as it will become a necessary paradigm to foster sustainable economic development, said Leila Benali, Minister of Energy Transition and Sustainable Development, on Monday in Nairobi.

peaking during a side event at the second part of the United Nations Environment Assembly's 5th session (UNEA-5.2), Benali noted that the principles of the circular economy have been practiced for centuries.

In this respect, she explained that it could be a social remedy to the employment crisis, provided that this green and inclusive transition is accompanied by policies on innovation and training.

"The National Strategy for Sustainable Development has identified the circular economy as a strategic axis of intervention with the aim of achieving a successful transition to a green and inclusive economy," she said during this side event, jointly organized by the United Nations Environment Program (UNEP) and the African Development Bank (AfDB).

The Minister explained that the waste sector has been structured and improved through the implementation of the National Household Waste Program, adding that a waste recovery strategy has been adopted to support the development of new green jobs and low-carbon products.

Similarly, institutional, legal and fiscal reforms have been launched to address current challenges in the waste sector, attract investment and stimulate innovation, she continued.

She further noted that Morocco has carried out key reforms that include revising the sector's governance model, through adopting an eco-tax on plastics and introducing the principle of extended producer responsibility.

To support the emergence of circular value chains, public-private partnership programs have been developed, with the aim of establishing "green ecosystems" for various products, including plastics, paper and glass, Benali said.

"Morocco developed, in 2021, its Long Term Low Emissions Development Strategy (LT-LEDS) to 2050, based on the revision of the Nationally Determined Contributions (NDC)."

In addition, the Minister affirmed Morocco's commitment to "support efforts to advance partnerships in Africa for a just transition to the circular economy and contribute positively to sustainable human development."

Leila Benali represents Morocco at the UNEA-5.2, which will address several environmental concerns, such as marine litter, nature-based solutions, green recovery and chemical waste management.