The headquarters of the Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ICESCO) in Rabat, Morocco, hosted the launch of an international workshop on “Water Use Management for Agriculture in OIC Member States.” The workshop, held over the period of 26–28 May 2025, was organized by ICESCO in cooperation with the Islamic Organization for Food Security (IOFS), the General Secretariat of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC), the Standing Committee on Scientific and Technological Cooperation (COMSTECH), and the Inter-Islamic Network on Water Resources Development and Management (INWRDAM). The event was attended by a number of ambassadors, officials, and experts from various Member States.

The first day of the workshop featured a series of specialized presentations, including one addressing the current situation of water scarcity in Member States. The agenda also included two sessions on water recycling, desalination, and the efficient use of water in agriculture. The day concluded with a panel discussion on emerging technologies and investment opportunities in this vital sector.

In his opening remarks, Dr. Abdelilah Benarafa, Deputy Director-General of ICESCO, emphasized that the workshop aims to discuss the challenges of water scarcity and food security, and to explore scientific solutions that include smart irrigation technologies, drought-resistant crops, and water reuse. He noted that the outcomes of the workshop would contribute to a reference report to be presented at the upcoming Islamic Conference of Ministers Responsible for Water (ICMW).

Dr. Raheel Qamar, Head of the Science and Environment Sector at ICESCO, stressed the importance of coordinated efforts in light of the worsening impacts of climate change, rapid population growth, and increasing water stress. He affirmed that collective solutions and modern technologies have become indispensable for addressing these challenges.

Mr. Abdunur M. Sekindi, Director General of the Science & Technology Department at the OIC General Secretariat, stated that achieving Sustainable Development Goal 6 (SDG 6) related to water requires intensifying research efforts, developing policies, supporting innovation, and building strategic partnerships with international organizations and the private sector.

For her part, Ms. Hanane Baghdad, Director at the Ministry’s Water Sector, delivered an address on behalf of Mr. Nizar Baraka, the Moroccan Minister of Equipment and Water, wherein she reviewed the features of Morocco’s proactive water policy. She highlighted the country’s focus on strengthening desalination projects, interconnecting water basins, improving service network efficiency, and meeting the demand for drinking water and irrigation.

Meanwhile, Marwan Alraggad, Executive Director of the Inter-Islamic Network on Water Resources Development and Management (INWRDAM), highlighted the importance of integrated approaches such as the Water-Energy-Food-Ecosystems (WEFE) Nexus in building sustainable and resilient agricultural systems.

Ms. Khazima Muazim, Program Manager at COMSTECH, speaking on behalf of Dr. Iqbal Choudhary, COMSTECH Coordinator-General, affirmed that this workshop is part of ongoing international efforts linking the water, energy, and food sectors to find innovative scientific solutions to environmental challenges, in addition to enhancing South-South cooperation in developing water recycling technologies.