Morocco successfully countered an Algerian attempt to politicize the 15th Conference of Parties to the Ramsar Convention on Wetlands, held from July 23-31, 2025, in Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe. Representatives from over 170 contracting parties attended the international event, which adopted the Ramsar Strategic Plan 2025-2034 aligned with global biodiversity objectives. Algeria introduced a resolution challenging Morocco's territorial integrity by proposing the declassification of Ramsar sites in Morocco's southern provinces, including Assaquia Al hamra (Laayoune), Aftissate Coast (Boujdour), Dakhla Bay, and Sebkhat Imlili (Oued Eddahab), said the National Agency for Water and Forests in a press release on Friday. Morocco's diplomatic mobilization secured massive support from contracting parties, forcing Algeria to officially withdraw the resolution. The international community backed Morocco's position, emphasizing the need to preserve the Convention's neutrality. The National Agency for Water and Forests highlighted Morocco's integrated wetland action plans involving public institutions, territorial communities, researchers, civil society, and local communities. Morocco currently maintains 38 internationally important Ramsar sites. Mehdya was officially designated as Morocco's second Ramsar City after Ifrane. Morocco was elected to the Convention's Standing Committee for 2025-2028, representing the North Africa sub-region.
