The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) has committed over €400 million in investments to Morocco's water sector, announced Thursday Antoine Sallé de Chou, EBRD's Director for Morocco, at the Mohammed VI Polytechnic University (UM6P) in Salé. These investments primarily address water supply and demand management, explained Sallé de Chou in a statement to MAP during the Water Master Classes themed «Innovative Financing Models and Mechanisms». He highlighted the Guelmim-Oued Noun region as the first beneficiary of EBRD funding, aimed at wastewater purification and reuse. In December 2023, the EBRD granted the region a €12 million loan to improve rural drinking water supply and modernize four wastewater treatment plants. Furthermore, Sue Barret, EBRD's Director of Sustainable Infrastructure, commended Morocco's seawater desalination program and other initiatives focused on wastewater treatment for green space irrigation. She also praised the efforts of Moroccan stakeholders in hydraulic infrastructure and water conservation programs. Barret emphasized the EBRD's close collaboration with these stakeholders to promote citizen behavior change and encourage industrial companies to adopt efficient irrigation solutions for water conservation. The Water Master Classes, organized by Cabinet consensus public relations (CPR), feature conferences on topics including water's role in the 2030 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), water efficiency transformation levers, water in socially responsible investment, and opportunities and challenges in water sector financial training.
