Dutch Moroccan Water Days
From 1 to 5 December, the Netherlands Water Partnership (NWP) will take part in the water-focused economic mission to Morocco, organised by the Netherlands Enterprise Agency (RVO). During the mission’s Dutch Moroccan Water Days, NWP will hold two seminar sessions and give a presentation on YEP Programmes. These activities will run alongside the 19th World Water Congress in Marrakech. They will bring Dutch and Moroccan partners together to explore opportunities for collaboration and to exchange knowledge on water challenges in a changing world.
This year’s activities build on the strong foundations laid at the first Dutch Moroccan Water Days in 2023. That event brought together over 30 Dutch companies and more than 50 Moroccan delegates in Casablanca. It created a space to deepen existing relations and identify new avenues for cooperation. The event emerged as one of the first tangible results of the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed by both countries at the United Nations Water Conference in New York in 2023. The MoU promotes joint action on sustainable and integrated water resources management.
Morocco has a growing need for advanced water solutions, creating clear opportunities for the Dutch water sector. The country is seeking expertise in managing freshwater resources, reusing wastewater, and implementing energy-efficient desalination. Dutch companies and knowledge institutions are therefore well aligned with Moroccan projects on water infrastructure, integrated water management, efficient water use, sustainable agricultural water management, irrigation, and innovative desalination technologies. This makes Morocco a promising market for collaboration and the application of Dutch knowledge and technology.
Dutch Moroccan Water Days 2025
The Dutch Moroccan Water Days 2025 will be held during the World Water Congress in Marrakech. This international congress takes place from 1 to 5 December under the theme Water in a Changing World: Innovation and Adaptation. The congress is organised by the Moroccan Ministry of Equipment and Water and the International Water Resources Association (IWRA).
The increasing pressure on water availability in Morocco, caused by prolonged drought and rising demand, highlights the importance of knowledge exchange and partnership. Within this setting, the Dutch Government is organising the Dutch Moroccan Water Days as part of the trade mission during the World Water Congress. This mission enables Dutch companies and knowledge institutions to explore opportunities, connect with authorities, and strengthen ties with partners.
From 1 to 5 December, NWP representatives Sabrina Kraaijenbrink-Doetjes, Vincent Cornelissen, and Arjan Braamskamp, will be in Morocco to join the trade mission and to coordinate several sessions as part of the Dutch Moroccan Water Days. In addition, NWP will also take part in the World Water Congress.
Presenting YEP Programmes
NWP’s Vincent Cornelissen, Programme Manager at YEP Programmes, will be present on 1 and 2 December as part of the Dutch Moroccan Water Days and the accompanying trade mission.
YEP Programmes’ mission is to create a young, renewed and inspiring international network, and to build professional expertise in the Water and Agrofood sectors through Dutch organisations operating in low-income countries and emerging markets, while contributing to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
In practical terms, this means that organisations can submit project proposals to involve Young Experts in their activities, for which they may receive financial support (subject to funding). In addition, YEP Programmes makes an extensive training and coaching programme available to Young Experts to strengthen their professional growth. Morocco is one of our designated focus countries. It has a lot of potential, but as yet no Young Experts have been placed there.
On 1 December, Vincent will present and promote the YEP Programmes at the Dutch Moroccan Water Days, highlighting the opportunities for deploying Young Experts in Morocco (subject to funding).
On 2 December, he will participate in the above mentioned The Netherlands – Moroccan Innovation Forum: towards efficient & integrated water management seminar. Here, Vincent will again introduce YEP Programmes, sharing concrete examples of how YEP can contribute to sustainable and innovative water solutions.
