The Moroccan Great Atlas Foundation, during the seventeenth session of the Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (COP17), called for the adoption of a community-based approach to climate action and the creation of fairer carbon markets. This was reported by the "Pan African Visions" news platform on August 24, 2026, during the conference held in Mongolia.
The conference, organized by the Human Capacity Development Program, takes place from August 17 to 28, 2026, and marks the seventeenth session of the Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification. This international gathering serves as a significant platform for discussing issues of desertification, land degradation, and drought, and ways to address them through collective efforts.
The report indicated that the Moroccan foundation emphasized the importance of involving local communities in the formulation and implementation of climate policies, considering that sustainable solutions cannot be achieved without the effective participation of these communities. It also called for reforming global carbon market mechanisms to ensure a fair distribution of benefits, particularly for developing countries most affected by climate change.
This stance comes at a time when calls for enhancing climate justice are increasing, as poor countries bear the brunt of the impacts of climate change despite being the least responsible for causing it. Carbon markets are a pivotal tool in financing climate action, but they are often criticized for being unfair to local communities.
The Great Atlas Foundation's call reflects a growing interest among non-governmental organizations in the Maghreb region in climate issues, and their endeavor to play an active role in international forums. It also highlights the importance of cooperation among various stakeholders to address pressing environmental challenges.
The seventeenth session of the Conference of the Parties represents a significant milestone in the trajectory of international efforts to combat desertification, bringing together representatives from governments, international organizations, and civil society to explore ways to enhance cooperation and exchange expertise. The participation of Moroccan institutions in this conference underscores Morocco's commitment to environmental issues and sustainable development.