Morocco has announced a new national program to accelerate waste-water treatment and liquid sanitation projects across the country. Officials said the initiative, which will see an investment of 5.6 billion U.S. dollars, reflects the North African country's commitment to addressing water scarcity and environmental protection while supporting economic development across urban and rural areas. Morocco has always had issues with water management, but climate change and a recent drought brought home to many just how serious the problem was becoming. Now the government is looking to get ahead of it with an ambitious and expensive project that will equip 223 cities and urban centers with sanitation networks and waste-water treatment plants. Morocco's Interior Minister Abdelouafi Laftit said the program will make it possible to reuse 100 million cubic meters of wastewater annually by 2027 and 537 million cubic meters by 2040. The Moroccan government has been criticized in the past for serving some areas better than others. However, the scope of this plan aims to allow both affluent urban areas and less developed rural areas to benefit. "Morocco has opted for proactive strategies to cope with growing water scarcity challenges and to achieve the equality for which his Majesty the King has called for. So, there is no place for Morocco moving at two speeds. There must be equal speed in developing rural areas as well as modernizing city infrastructure," said Mustafa Al Issat, a Moroccan environmental expert. This plan aims to reduce pressure on conventional water resources by meeting the growing water demand. The treated wastewater is viewed as a strategy for water security. It is also intended to play a crucial role in supporting the agricultural sector, which accounts for 85 percent of the North African country's water consumption. SHOTLIST: FILE: Morocco - Date Unknown 1. Water reservoir; 2. Various of water flowing from pipe, facilities in wastewater treatment plant; 3. People holding glass of water, facilities; 4. Facilities in wastewater treatment plant; Morocco - Recent 5. SOUNDBITE (Arabic) Mustafa Al Issat, Moroccan environmental expert: "Morocco has opted for proactive strategies to cope with growing water scarcity challenges and to achieve the equality for which his Majesty the King has called for. So, there is no place for Morocco moving at two speeds. There must be equal speed in developing rural areas as well as modernizing city infrastructure."; FILE: Morocco - Date Unknown 6. Cattle eating grass; 7. Various of residents operating water pump; 8. Water flowing from pipe, man holding pipe; 9. Various of man cultivating land, picking fruits; 10. Family sitting on lawn; 11. Various of ships sailing; tourists on beach. [Restrictions: No access Chinese mainland]