Morocco in Mexico: Voices of the Global South Facing the Climate Crisis

Mérida, Yucatán — The climate crisis is no longer a distant warning but a lived reality, especially for the Global South, where communities struggle with water scarcity, food insecurity, and the urgent need for energy transition. Against this backdrop, the Universidad Modelo hosted the panel “Morocco in Mexico: Voices of the Global South Facing the Climate Crisis”, bringing together academics, diplomats, and researchers from Morocco and Mexico. The hybrid-format dialogue highlighted how tradition and innovation can meet to create sustainable futures.

Voices of academic diplomacy

Opening the session, Dr. Amina El Mekaoui (International Foundation for Peace and Sustainable Development) reminded participants that water is much more than a resource: “Water is a source of life, culture, and at the same time, a symbol of the threats facing humanity.” She emphasized Morocco’s pioneering role in renewable energy and climate adaptation, noting that these experiences can inspire new frameworks in Mexico and Latin America.

Panelists and contributions

Mustapha Ouzir (Moulay Ismail University) underscored Morocco’s dual approach of embracing cutting-edge technology while safeguarding ancestral practices. “Morocco’s experience shows that modern engineering can coexist with ancestral water systems. Community wells, traditional irrigation channels, and collective management practices are part of our climate resilience.” For Dr. Ouzir, this synergy reflects a living dialogue between the Noor Solar Complex and traditional knowledge.

Marcela Montero Mendoza (Universidad Modelo) stressed the potential of joint academic research to generate innovative solutions: “Mexico and Morocco face similar challenges, and the exchange of traditional and scientific knowledge can open new solutions for water and food security.” She highlighted that intercultural academic dialogue is not an accessory but a necessity in times of global crisis.

Ronald Ortíz García (Universidad Modelo) focused on the central role of younger generations. “Our students must learn not only about climate models but also about the wisdom of indigenous and rural communities.” His intervention linked scientific training with intercultural learning, emphasizing the importance of preparing students to act as bridges between local traditions and global challenges.

Limam Boussif (Regional Youth Association, Dakhla-Oued Eddahab) recalled how Morocco’s southern provinces have integrated tradition into modern development projects. “We cannot ignore our own history; our ancestors already developed ways to live in harmony with scarce water resources. Today, those lessons are crucial.” His testimony connected climate adaptation with cultural pride and historical continuity.

Saif E. I. Benabdennour (Moulay Ismail University) raised the often-overlooked ethical dimension of the climate crisis: migration. “Strengthening communities with sustainable livelihoods is essential to reduce forced displacement.” For him, climate change is not only an environmental issue but a matter of justice, dignity, and human rights.

Finally, Mostapha Maelainin (Moroccan-Spanish-Latin American Strategic Studies Center, CEEMEL) called for a new form of internationalism: “From the Mediterranean to the Caribbean, we share not only challenges but also solutions rooted in tradition and innovation.” His proposal for a global diplomacy of water suggested building networks that transcend borders, linking Latin America, Africa, and Europe in common cause.

Traditional knowledge as a strategic resource

A recurring theme in the debate was the recognition of traditional knowledge as a resource, not a relic. Moroccan participants explained how systems such as khettaras (underground water channels), oasis agriculture, and collective well management have survived centuries of scarcity. These practices remain effective and, when combined with laboratories and renewable energy technologies, offer living models of adaptation.

As Dr. Ouzir concluded: “The Global South is not empty-handed. We carry a legacy of adaptation that is both cultural and ecological. By recovering these practices and combining them with science, we can create truly sustainable solutions.”

A message for the future

Moderated by Dr. Jorge Carlos Canto Esquivel (Mexico) and Dr. Amina El Mekaoui (Morocco), the panel ended with a clear message: academic networks, cultural diplomacy, and South-South cooperation are vital to face the climate crisis. The energy transition, the protection of water, and the building of sustainable communities are not future options but present obligations.

The closing consensus was clear: Morocco and Mexico, as voices of the Global South, are called to lead by example — combining tradition and innovation to safeguard the planet.