Press release issued by the government of Morocco:

Six months ahead of the start of the UN Climate Change Conference in Marrakech in November (COP22), construction work at the Bab Ighli site has been launched.

On Tuesday, all stakeholders of the “ochre city” were present for the kick-off of this vast development project entrusted to consortium GL Events, as part of a call for tender.

Experienced in projects of this size and scope, and having notably worked on COP21 (the UN Climate Change Conference in Paris last year), the French operator (organized in a consortium of seven other companies) announced in Marrakech that the assembly phase, zone by zone, would begin in June. 60% of the project would be carried out by Moroccan companies and delivered punctually on October 14. The first phase will last seven weeks, followed by seven weeks of operation during the COP. Ten weeks will be necessary to dismantle the structure.

The site is divided into two zones:

The “Blue Zone,” placed under the authority of the United Nations, will span 154,000 m2 and be comprised notably of two plenary rooms, 30 conference and meeting rooms for negotiators and 10 meeting rooms reserved for observers. Other functional spaces are also planned. They will be dedicated to debates/events, exhibitions, welcoming and security areas, VIP spaces and UN offices. The “Blue Zone” will be reserved to those with accreditation from the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change Secretariat.

The second zone will be reserved for non-state actors, NGOs, private companies, state institutions and organizations, and local authorities within two areas (“civil society” and “innovations”) each measuring 12,000 m2. The area will also include spaces dedicated to exhibitions and restaurants.

In addition to these areas, there will be an entry plaza for heads of state (12,500 m2), a plaza for delegations (11,147 m2) and a parking area (22,000 m2). The total surface of the Bab Ighli site will be 223,647 m2 (more than 80,000 m2 covered by a roof).

The site will also include networks and services (banking, postal, travel, restaurants) and will be very well connected. Developed as an eco-village, the areas will have a neutral carbon footprint, with grassy and flowery carpets, plants, and potted bushes. Environment-friendly exterior lighting will be created, with optimal energy efficiency.

The first shovel stroke was made at the COP22 village construction site in presence of the organizing committee, including Abdelâdim Lhafi, Commissioner and Abdeslam Bekrate, Head of Logistics and Security as well as representatives from UNFCCC. Also present were Mohamed Moufakkir, Wali of the region of Marrakech-Safi, Ahmed Akhchichine, President of the Marrakech-Safi region, and Mohamed Larbi Belkaid, President of the Marrakech commune.