On April 30, 2025, ECOP Morocco, in collaboration with the National Commission for Education, Science and Culture (COMNAT) and with support from UNESCO’s Participation Programme, hosted the seminar “ECOP Morocco Ocean Dialogue: Strategy and Roadmap for UNOC-3” at COMNAT headquarters in Rabat. This hybrid-format event brought together researchers, civil society actors, and ocean professionals to shape Morocco’s strategic vision ahead of the 3rd United Nations Ocean Conference (UNOC-3).
The seminar opened with an overview of major ocean challenges—overfishing, plastic pollution, acidification, and deoxygenation—highlighting Morocco’s 3,500 km EEZ and its key role in global ocean governance. Participants then engaged in three interactive workshops addressing:
• Protection of marine biodiversity
• Blue financing and sustainable economic models
• Capacity building for young professionals and ocean innovation
Among the contributors to the dialogue were Mr. Younes Benakki, Secretary General of the Economic, Social and Environmental Council (CESE) and Coordinator of its specialized commission on sustainable development and ocean affairs; Mr. Karim Hamidouche, Acting Secretary General of COMNAT; Dr. Karim Hilmi, Director of the IOI Ocean Academy Morocco; and Mr. Hachim El Ayoubi, Senior Expert at CESE. The international ECOP network was represented by Ms. Evgeniia Kostianaia, ECOP Global Coordinator, and Dr. Sarah Viana, ECOP Africa Regional Coordinator, who outlined the progress and opportunities within their respective programs.
The event also welcomed Prof. Khalid El Khalidi, national coordinator of the Blue Schools initiative in Morocco, and Ms. Sanaa Zebakh from Ibn Tofail University, who shared an overview of the OKEANO project and its contribution to ocean education and awareness. Additionally, Mr. Ayoub Achbaro, Junior Project Manager at the Mohammed VI Foundation for Environmental Protection, shared insights on institutional engagement in the UN Ocean Decade.
The ECOP Morocco Node was represented by its national team, including Dr. Othman Cherkaoui Dekkaki, Sophia Laarissa, Houda El Hadad, Ikhlas Ait Youssef, and Ayoub Achbaro, who coordinated the sessions and working groups.
The rich discussions throughout the day will be transcribed into a national declaration and an ECOP Morocco roadmap aligned with the Sustainable Development Goals and UNOC-3 priorities—consolidating Morocco’s role as a proactive and innovative actor in the UN Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development.
