The UN Organization Adopts May 10th as International Day of Argania

This UN resolution was widely supported by 113 member states of the United Nations.

Yesterday, March 3rd, the United Nations General Assembly in New York unanimously adopted a resolution at the initiative of Morocco, which declares May 10th of each year as the International Day of Argania.

Thus, Argania, the endemic tree in Morocco, which is an immaterial cultural heritage and a longstanding source of sustainable development, will be celebrated on the tenth of May of each year both nationally and internationally.

The inspiration behind choosing May 10th comes from the ripening cycle of the Argan fruit.

This is a 100% Moroccan initiative launched in February 2020 during an event organized by the Kingdom, in cooperation with the National Agency for the Development of Oasis Zones and the Argan Tree, the United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs (DESA), the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), UNESCO and the World Health Organization (WHO). This event culminated in the launching of the negotiation process on the resolution related to the International Day of Argania, which was halted due to the repercussions of the Covid-19 epidemic on the UN’s methods and conditions of work.

The Permanent Mission of Morocco to the United Nations re-launched the negotiation process at the beginning of 2021; this process ended after four rounds of virtual consultation meetings with UN member states.

Although the negotiation context was characterized by many challenges due to the current health crisis, the process and the text of the resolution received the attention and support of the vast majority of the international community.

The proclamation of the International Day of Argania is an international recognition of the Kingdom’s efforts, in accordance with the high directives of His Majesty King Mohammed VI, in protecting and valuing the Argan tree.

This UN resolution confirms the recognition of the significant contribution of the Argania sector in implementing the 17 goals of the 2030 Agenda and achieving sustainable development within its three dimensions; economic, social and environmental. It also highlights the many uses of Argan oil, particularly in traditional medicine, complementary medicine, culinary, and cosmetic industries.

This comes at an appropriate time, as the international community prepares for the UN Food Systems Summit. In fact, the uniqueness of Argania depends on sustainable and resilient forestry farming practices that ensure the continuation of food production systems, the preservation of biological diversity and the adaptation and mitigation of the effects of climate change.

This declaration is also a call for strengthening international cooperation to support the preservation of Argania’s biosphere and the development of sustainable growth in the sector of Argan production.

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