The National Coordinator of Algeria's Higher Council for the National Scientific Diaspora, Professor Elias Zerahouni, announced that the council will present a roadmap to President Abdelmadjid Tebboune after completing its first meeting and consulting with relevant ministers. The roadmap will outline agreements and tasks assigned to the council. Zerahouni emphasized the importance of cooperation between expatriate scientists and their counterparts within Algeria, particularly in areas like food security and priority sectors.
The council's primary objective is to build partnerships with scientific expertise within Algeria, focusing on priority areas such as food security. Zerahouni highlighted that the council will work to expand the network of Algerian scientific expertise residing abroad and attract more brains to it. He also mentioned that the council's members will prepare a joint roadmap to be presented to the President. The council's work will be based on two main pillars: identifying programs to work on and expanding the network of Algerian scientists abroad.
Zerahouni explained that the council will be a flexible body capable of adapting to the needs of relevant sectors and ministries. The council's first phase will focus on learning, listening, and understanding the scientific, economic, and institutional environment in Algeria. This understanding is crucial in providing effective recommendations. The council will then identify areas where it can add value in collaboration with national expertise and clear priorities.
The second pillar of the council's work involves expanding the network of Algerian scientists and expertise abroad. Zerahouni noted that the council cannot cover all areas, despite the numerous experiences and expertise within the Algerian scientific community abroad. The goal is to identify and attract these expertise to form a reservoir of experiences and volunteering. He emphasized that council members' activities are voluntary, and they receive no salaries for their tasks.
Zerahouni stressed the need to expand this network, considering the thousands of Algerian expertise in Europe, America, and Asia. Each council member can introduce several Algerian scientists and experts and attract them to contribute to this effort. He added that the two strategic pillars will be supported by dynamic administrative organization, allowing for new prospects for the country without replacing internal national visions.
The council's work will focus on providing informed opinions and expanding the available knowledge base for Algeria. Zerahouni noted that the rapid developments in science and technology require leveraging the network of relationships and experiences possessed by council members. The council will organize support for expertise and researchers within Algeria, with an evaluation of its work to be conducted after one year.
President Tebboune received the council members on September 27, 2026, as they concluded their first meeting. The council's establishment was formalized through a decree, and its members have been working to prepare for their tasks. The council aims to provide a platform for Algerian scientists and expertise to contribute to the country's development.
Key points
- The Algerian Higher Council for the National Scientific Diaspora will present a roadmap to President Tebboune.
- The council aims to build partnerships with scientific expertise within Algeria, focusing on priority areas.
- The council will expand the network of Algerian scientific expertise residing abroad.
