Morocco ranks 49th globally, 6th in Africa, and 4th in the Arab world in adopting voluntary sustainability standards in public procurement policies and trade, according to a report by the United Nations Forum on Sustainability Standards.

Tunisia ranks 3rd among Arab countries, with a score of 25.77%, while Egypt and Morocco scored 28% and 26.92%, respectively. Globally, Tunisia is ranked 58th out of 192 countries in adopting these standards.

In Africa, Tunisia is 10th, following Madagascar (ranked 56th), Uganda (53rd), Ghana (50th), Morocco (49th), Egypt (40th), and Ethiopia (37th). South Africa (ranked 18th), Kenya (26th), and Tanzania (36th) are the top three African countries in adopting voluntary sustainability standards.

On the global stage, Brazil (1st), the United States (2nd), and China (3rd) top the list with adoption rates exceeding 40%.

The report highlighted that the adoption of these standards is closely linked to the diversity of export products. Isabelle Durant, Deputy Director of the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD) and Forum Coordinator, stated that the United Nations Forum on Sustainability Standards is a coalition of five UN agencies promoting these guidelines.

These five agencies are the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), the International Trade Centre (ITC), the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), and the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO).

Isabelle Durant pointed out that voluntary sustainability standards are recognized as tools for governments to implement sustainable development goals. She concluded by saying, “If used appropriately with trade policy, they can accelerate sustainable development.”

The report defines voluntary sustainability standards as specific rules ensuring that products are manufactured or transported according to certain sustainability criteria, such as environmental impact, fundamental human rights, labor standards, and gender equality.