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Morocco: SMAP Expo Milan 2019 Receives 20,000 Visitors

SMAP Logo of 2018
SMAP Logo of 2018
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Morocco: SMAP Expo Milan 2019 Receives 20,000 Visitors

SMAP Logo of 2018
SMAP Logo of 2018

Moroccan real estate and lifestyle expo, SMAP Expo Milan 2019, received 20,000 people this year during its showing days between November 1 and 3, where 35 exhibitors showcased their projects on various Moroccan cities.

This year, the event dedicated a special celebration to the Beni Mellal-Khenifra region as a guest of honor.

The program also included seminars and interactive meetings on the legal framework of the real estate in Morocco, market conditions and issues of financing the acquisition of property, taxes and investment opportunities.

The exhibition aims to bring the real estate market closer to the Moroccan community in Italy and neighboring European countries, by showing comprehensive and carefully selected housing projects in various regions of Morocco.

It also includes areas for banks and financial companies specialized in financing real estate and insurance, as well as notaries and representatives of Moroccan public departments to enable visitors to complete their transactions.

The exhibition stems from the association of Moroccan immigrants to their motherland, trying to facilitate the acquisition of a secondary residence in Morocco.

It wants to bring all relevant interests in one place and provide clarity about the Moroccan market including counseling and awareness services, through the discussions organized on the sidelines.

The SMAP Group organized the exhibition, in cooperation with the Ministry of Planning of the National Territory, Urban Planning, Housing and City Policy (MAPNTUPHCP), as well as the Moroccan Federation of Real Estate Developers, as part of the tour of the Moroccan real estate and art of living “SMAP Roadshow 2019”

The expo was first held in Paris in June, and later in May 2020, the French capital will host the exhibition “SMAP Immo Paris” as the first leg of “SMAP Roadshow 2020”.

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FAO Aims for Key Outcomes at COP16 in Saudi Arabia

Preparations in the Saudi capital ahead of hosting the COP16 conference on combating desertification (from the “COP16” page on the X platform)
Preparations in the Saudi capital ahead of hosting the COP16 conference on combating desertification (from the “COP16” page on the X platform)
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FAO Aims for Key Outcomes at COP16 in Saudi Arabia

Preparations in the Saudi capital ahead of hosting the COP16 conference on combating desertification (from the “COP16” page on the X platform)
Preparations in the Saudi capital ahead of hosting the COP16 conference on combating desertification (from the “COP16” page on the X platform)

Dr. Abdul Hakim Elwaer, Assistant Director-General of the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), stated that the organization will take an active role at COP16, the UN conference on combating desertification, scheduled to take place in Saudi Arabia in early December.

In remarks to Asharq Al-Awsat, he expressed confidence that the conference—the first of its kind in the Middle East—would produce significant outcomes.

Elwaer’s comments came during a roundtable organized by FAO’s regional office in Cairo, attended by a select group of media representatives. The session focused on FAO’s participation in the upcoming conference and the importance of the Rio Trio —the integrated framework of the three major UN conventions addressing climate change, biodiversity conservation, and desertification.

Fida Haddad, FAO’s Program Officer for Land Rehabilitation and Climate Change, highlighted the interconnectedness of the three conventions and noted that COP16 would place a strong emphasis on land and water rehabilitation and their sustainable management.

Haddad pointed out that approximately 90% of the Middle East is affected by arid conditions. Despite this, local communities and Arab governments have made notable progress in addressing desertification and drought. She also announced that, for the first time, FAO has successfully placed food systems on the COP16 agenda, enabling discussions on how land rehabilitation can enhance food supply chains and systems.

Elwaer underscored FAO’s central role in achieving the second Sustainable Development Goal (SDG): eradicating hunger. He emphasized that FAO actively engages in the UN conventions on climate change, biodiversity, and desertification, which collectively contribute to this mission.

FAO’s focus, according to Elwaer, is on transforming food and agricultural systems to become more inclusive, efficient, and sustainable, aiming for better production, nutrition, and livelihoods. He highlighted the organization’s success in integrating these priorities into the agendas of the three conventions and collaborating with host countries on joint initiatives.

He further noted that Saudi Arabia’s hosting of COP16 is particularly significant for the region, which faces pressing challenges such as water scarcity, desertification, and food insecurity. The conference presents an opportunity for Middle Eastern nations to highlight these issues, explore solutions, and ensure their inclusion in global environmental discussions, not only at this event but in future COP sessions, he underlined.

Elwaer emphasized the growing global attention on desertification, as it is now impacting regions previously unaffected, such as southern Europe and parts of Latin America. These areas are witnessing alarming declines in arable land and forests, prompting them to seek lessons from the Arab world, which has developed resilience strategies to combat desertification over centuries.

FAO will have a strong presence at COP16, with two dedicated pavilions—one in the Blue Zone for official delegations and another in the Green Zone to engage civil society and conference participants, he said.

He added that in collaboration with Saudi Arabia and the UN, FAO will lead coordination on Food Day and Governance Day, scheduled for December 5 and 6, respectively. The organization will also participate in other specialized sessions throughout the conference.