Italy and Morocco promote Integrated coastal zone management in the Rabat-Salé-Kénitra region (ICZM-RSK)
Italian Ministry of Environment and Energy Security,(Government), Moroccan Ministry of Energy Transition and Sustainable Development (Government)
(
Government
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#OceanAction58806
Description
The Integrated Coastal Zone Management project in the Rabat-Salé-Kénitra (IZM-RSK) region is an initiative in the framework of bilateral cooperation between Morocco and Italy, designed to harmonize environmental protection with sustainable development along Morocco’s Atlantic coastline. Anchored in ecosystem-based planning, the project addresses critical challenges such as biodiversity loss, pollution, and inadequate data management, while fostering inclusive socio-economic engagement.
One of the core components, focuses on enhancing ecosystem services and biodiversity in coastal Sites of Biological and Ecological Interest (SIBEs) and other sensitive hotspots. This is achieved through environmental upgrading projects aimed at preserving natural resources and habitats. The initiative also emphasizes capacity building, with young people and local site managers receiving specialized training in ICZM and ecosystem services assessment. Additionally, the project empowers local communities by supporting women's and men's cooperatives engaged in sustainable, environmentally friendly initiatives—strengthening the socio-economic fabric of the region through eco-inclusive development.
The project also targets pollution control, particularly plastic waste, which poses a significant threat to the region's coastal ecosystems. The project identifies and neutralizes high-risk waste accumulation points along the coastline and introduces an integrated management model tailored to agricultural plastic waste—a major contributor to environmental degradation. To reinforce pollution control efforts, the ICZM project also supports the development and adoption of regulatory frameworks, including general and specific waste discharge standards, laying the groundwork for long-term behavioral and policy shifts toward cleaner practices.
Complementing these efforts, the project strengthens the region’s capacity to observe, analyze, and manage coastal environmental data. Indeed, ICZM-RSK supports the expansion of SIREDD, the Regional Information System for Environment and Sustainable Development, by completing and updating key sustainable development indicators specific to the RSK coastline. This data-driven approach ensures informed decision-making and long-term monitoring of coastal health.
Italian Ministry of Environment and Energy Security (Government), Moroccan Ministry of Energy Transition and Sustainable Development (Government)
SDGS & Targets
Goal 14
Conserve and sustainably use the oceans, seas and marine resources for sustainable development
14.1
By 2025, prevent and significantly reduce marine pollution of all kinds, in particular from land-based activities, including marine debris and nutrient pollution
14.1.1
(a) Index of coastal eutrophication; and (b) plastic debris density
14.2
By 2020, sustainably manage and protect marine and coastal ecosystems to avoid significant adverse impacts, including by strengthening their resilience, and take action for their restoration in order to achieve healthy and productive oceans
14.2.1
Number of countries using ecosystem-based approaches to managing marine areas
14.3
Minimize and address the impacts of ocean acidification, including through enhanced scientific cooperation at all levels
14.3.1
14.4
By 2020, effectively regulate harvesting and end overfishing, illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing and destructive fishing practices and implement science-based management plans, in order to restore fish stocks in the shortest time feasible, at least to levels that can produce maximum sustainable yield as determined by their biological characteristics
14.4.1
14.5
By 2020, conserve at least 10 per cent of coastal and marine areas, consistent with national and international law and based on the best available scientific information
14.5.1
14.6
By 2020, prohibit certain forms of fisheries subsidies which contribute to overcapacity and overfishing, eliminate subsidies that contribute to illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing and refrain from introducing new such subsidies, recognizing that appropriate and effective special and differential treatment for developing and least developed countries should be an integral part of the World Trade Organization fisheries subsidies negotiation
14.6.1
Degree of implementation of international instruments aiming to combat illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing
14.7
By 2030, increase the economic benefits to Small Island developing States and least developed countries from the sustainable use of marine resources, including through sustainable management of fisheries, aquaculture and tourism
14.7.1
Sustainable fisheries as a proportion of GDP in small island developing States, least developed countries and all countries
14.a
Increase scientific knowledge, develop research capacity and transfer marine technology, taking into account the Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission Criteria and Guidelines on the Transfer of Marine Technology, in order to improve ocean health and to enhance the contribution of marine biodiversity to the development of developing countries, in particular small island developing States and least developed countries
14.a.1
14.b
Provide access for small-scale artisanal fishers to marine resources and markets
14.b.1
Degree of application of a legal/regulatory/policy/institutional framework which recognizes and protects access rights for small‐scale fisheries
14.c
Enhance the conservation and sustainable use of oceans and their resources by implementing international law as reflected in United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea, which provides the legal framework for the conservation and sustainable use of oceans and their resources, as recalled in paragraph 158 of "The future we want"
14.c.1
Number of countries making progress in ratifying, accepting and implementing through legal, policy and institutional frameworks, ocean-related instruments that implement international law, as reflected in the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea, for the conservation and sustainable use of the oceans and their resources
SDG 14 targets covered
| Name | Description |
|---|---|
| 14.1 | By 2025, prevent and significantly reduce marine pollution of all kinds, in particular from land-based activities, including marine debris and nutrient pollution |
| 14.2 | By 2020, sustainably manage and protect marine and coastal ecosystems to avoid significant adverse impacts, including by strengthening their resilience, and take action for their restoration in order to achieve healthy and productive oceans |
| 14.5 | By 2020, conserve at least 10 per cent of coastal and marine areas, consistent with national and international law and based on the best available scientific information |
| 14.7 | By 2030, increase the economic benefits to Small Island developing States and least developed countries from the sustainable use of marine resources, including through sustainable management of fisheries, aquaculture and tourism |
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Contact Information
Cecilia , Officer