Morocco calls for trans-border approach in desertification control

Moroccan agriculture Minister, Habib Malki, called Wednesday in Paris for the adoption of a trans-border approach in the fight against desert encroachment.

In his inaugural speech before a meeting of the managing board of the Observatory of the Sahara and Sahel, the Moroccan minister, who is acting chairman of this African body, said one country alone cannot face the desertification phenomenon which necessitates great financial, technical and human resources to contain it.

He underscored the danger of desertification on the socio-economic development and on the eco-system balance.

The Chief of the Sahara and Sahel observatory added that the fight against desertification requires a sustained monitoring between the concerned countries, a consistent follow-up of the set programs, exchange of information and allocation of the necessary means to alleviate side-effects of this natural phenomenon.

The Moroccan minister called in this regard for the internationalization of the African organization to allow it benefit from experiences in the struggle against desertification.