Rabat – A side event of the Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP30), under the theme of “Full Engagement for Climate: Mobilizing Sport to Serve Climate Action,” highlighted Morocco’s initiatives to utilize sports as a means of driving climate action.
The country was recognized especially for its sustainable preparations to host the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations and to co-host the 2030 World Cup finals with Spain and Portugal.
Speaking on behalf of the Mohammed VI Foundation for Environmental Protection, Director of the Hassan II International Center for Environmental Training, Ayman Cherkaoui, spoke on the foundation’s work with the Royal Moroccan Football Federation.
The partnership between the federation and foundation focuses on the environmental aspects of the joint bid to host the 2030 World Cup submitted by Morocco, Spain, and Portugal to FIFA in terms of the need to protect ecosystems and keep infrastructure and sports practices sustainable – especially in regard to upcoming sports events.
Further spokesmen, such as Youssef Chakour, on behalf of the General Confederation of Moroccan Enterprises, spoke on the opportunities for Morocco’s private sports sectors to promote sustainable policies and the crucial role of environmental education and youth mobilization.
Rachid Tahiri, Representative of the Ministry of Energy Transition and Sustainable Development, spoke about the increasing vulnerability of the sports sector to climate disruptions, including extreme heat waves, rising sea levels that threaten coastal sites, and disruptions to the competition schedule.
He brought attention to the efforts Morocco is making regarding renewable energy, sustainable infrastructure, and further climate action that fall in line with the Royal Vision.