Ahmed El Bouari, Morocco’s Minister of Agriculture, Maritime Fisheries, Rural Development and Water and Forests, met Sunday in Paris with the French Minister of Agriculture and Food Sovereignty, Annie Genevard, on the sidelines of the International Agricultural Show (SIA), held from February 21 to March 2.
The meeting took place in the presence of Morocco’s Ambassador to France, Samira Sitail. Both officials praised the excellence of bilateral agricultural cooperation, strengthened in 2024 through the signing of a framework agreement in the agricultural and forestry sectors, along with several sectoral administrative arrangements.
They expressed a shared commitment to reinforcing the operational implementation of agreed roadmaps, particularly in livestock, agricultural training, sanitary and phytosanitary cooperation, and agricultural water management in the face of climate challenges. They also emphasized the importance of strengthening exchanges between professional organizations from both countries to support sustainable agricultural development.
In a statement to the press after the meeting, Minister Genevard welcomed Morocco’s participation in the SIA, recalling that Morocco had been the guest of honor at the previous edition. She noted that since the 2024 visit of Emmanuel Macron to Morocco, the two countries have renewed strategic partnerships, particularly in agriculture.
Highlighting the significance of bilateral cooperation in water management amid climate change and extreme weather events, the French minister pointed out that both countries face similar challenges that require coordinated responses. She also praised the fruitful partnerships in agricultural education and research and highlighted the strong and growing agricultural trade between Morocco and France in both crop and livestock sectors.
Minister Genevard reaffirmed France’s commitment to its friendship and economic cooperation with Morocco, underlining the strategic nature of these bilateral relations.
The Paris International Agricultural Show is France’s largest agricultural event and one of the world’s leading exhibitions dedicated to agriculture and food. It serves as a showcase for local products, livestock, animal genetics, and agricultural innovations, bringing together consumers, policymakers, professionals, and researchers each year. In 2025, the SIA welcomed over 600,000 visitors, confirming its international influence and appeal.
