The 15th edition of the International Fair of Agriculture in Morocco (SIAM) took place in Meknes from 2-7 May 2023 under the theme “Green Generation: for sustainable food sovereignty"   Over the years, the SIAM has become a key international event for agriculture in Morocco, bringing together national and international stakeholders to exchange ideas, share experiences and lessons to promote agricultural development and food security in Morocco and beyond.  As in the past, the 15^th edition attracted several ministers and other high-level policy makers, national and international experts, industry professionals, international and regional organizations and more than 900.000 participants.

The joint FAO - International Centre for Agricultural Research in the Dry Areas (ICARDA) stand took center stage and attracted many visitors. FAO and ICARDA publications, knowledge products and latest innovations were nicely showcased, prompting great interest of experts and public.  Topics such as "Agroecology as an Economic Lever for Moroccan Women's Cooperatives," "Biodiversity and the Influence of Variety Selection," and "Resilient Cereal Crops for Food Sovereignty: The Role of Research were discussed during the interactive sessions facilitated by FAO and ICARDA experts.

FAO experts from FAO Morocco and the FAO North Africa Subregional Office (SNE) debated in technical workshops about the key role of research in developing resilient cereal production for food security and the development of the dairy sector in Morocco.

Several FAO experts from headquarters, regional and subregional offices participated as speakers to the high-level Conference on Green Generation and Food Sovereignty organized by the Ministry of Agriculture, Marine Fisheries, Rural Development, and Water and Forests, as part of the SIAM scientific conference. 

FAO participated in the 3rd Annual Ministerial Conference of the "AAA" (Adaptation of African Agriculture) initiative, which gathered Ministers and other high-level policy makers from several country, notably African countries. The AAA Initiative was launched by the Kingdom of Morocco during the COP22 in Marrakech to contribute to African food security, improve the living conditions of vulnerable farmers and promote rural employment by encouraging climate change adaptation practices, strengthening actors’ capacities, and channeling financial flows to the most vulnerable farmers.

The SIAM offered a platform for the signature of main agreements.  The FAO Representative and the Minister of Agriculture, Marine Fisheries, Rural Development, and Water and Forests signed FAO- Morocco Country Programming Framework 2023-2027, as well as three new TCPs projects on the development of a National Program for Globally Important Agricultural Heritage Systems (GIAHS), sustainable Soil Management, as well Gender mainstreaming in national programs. 

A busy schedule indeed, confirming FAO role as a key partner for agricultural development and food security in Morocco.