Dakhla: 5th International Congress on Desert Economics

The city of Dakhla, in southern Morocco, hosted the 5th edition of the International Congress on Desert Economics, which took place on 18 and 19 April 2024, under the theme: "Scientific Research at the Service of the Economic Development of the Desert, the Sahara and Remote Rural Areas".  

The International Congress on Desert Economics - ENCG, Dakhla, Morocco, is a pioneer and the first global scientific research meeting ever organised on the economic development of the desert, Sahara and drylands, whose approach is to think globally (internationally) and act locally, organised annually by the National School of Business and Management of Dakhla (ENCG Dakhla). This fifth edition was organised in collaboration with the UNESCO Chair in Tourism and Sustainable Economic Development of the University of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, Spain. 

According to Professor Elouali Aailal, founder and chair of this congress, this fifth edition has been exceptional in terms of the distinguished participation of eminent scientific and professional personalities and members of the scientific committee, their prestigious universities, affiliations and research institutes on deserts and drylands, their nationalities from all continents, and in terms of the importance, specificity, topicality and relevance of the topics discussed. 

The ultimate goal of the International Congress on Desert Economics - ENCG Dakhla is to be a platform for interdisciplinary scientific research on the economics, management and development of desert, Sahara and drylands (hot and drylands, hyper-arid or semi-arid regions, oases and remote rural areas), in order to contribute effectively to good governance and sustainable development of drylands worldwide, attracting and promoting investment opportunities in the Sahara and deserts, and stimulating meetings between all stakeholders on a global scale: academics, practitioners, policy makers, civil society and NGOs. ..., with a view to fostering dialogue, partnership and cooperation between desert countries around the world: Africa and the Gulf States (MENA and Sahel... ...), the United States of America, Australia, China, India, Latin America.... 

All this with the aim of valuing and promoting knowledge of the desert and the conclusions and recommendations of related studies and conferences, and to create an environment conducive to the exchange of experiences, expertise, training, educational practices and innovation, around issues related to the desert economy and dryland management, such as tourism, desert tourism, Saharan tourism, oasis tourism, the travel industry and the tourism economy; climate change, desertification and land degradation; livestock economics, management and production; agriculture, aquaculture and agricultural economics (rural economy); water economics and management, drought and water scarcity; renewable energy, energy economics and energy management; mining and natural resource management; phosphate economics and the phosphate fertiliser industry; transport and logistics; ocean economics (blue economy), maritime economics and fisheries; space economy and space industry; technology and innovation; water sports and entertainment, sport economy and sport management; cultural and creative industries, tangible and intangible heritage; conservation and management of biodiversity, wetlands, environment and nature. 

This international scientific event is part of Morocco's resolute commitment and responsibility towards its African depths. This commitment is dictated by historical, geographical and cultural links, and is mainly embodied in Morocco's Southern Provinces, which constitute the link between Morocco and sub-Saharan Africa. Although these provinces are located in the desert, they have made considerable progress in record time, thanks to the implementation of specific development strategies adapted to the Saharan regions, including the New Development Model for the Southern Provinces of Morocco.

Thanks to African and international multilateral cooperation, deserts and drylands around the world, especially in Africa (the Sahara and the Sahel), with their vast and rich coastlines and natural maritime coastlines, are an open workshop and a stage for major trans-Saharan (trans-Africa) initiatives, mega-projects and infrastructure: the International Atlantic Initiative, launched by His Majesty King Mohammed VI to facilitate the access of Sahel countries to the Atlantic Ocean; the mega-project "Atlantic Port of Dakhla"; the Desertec Project (Clean and Renewable Energy); the Great Green Wall for the Sahara and the Sahel Initiative (Greening the Sahara and combating desertification); the Morocco-Nigeria Gas Pipeline; the Trans-African Oil Pipeline Project (Water); the "Power Africa" initiative; the "Desert to Power" initiative ...