Tunisia and Italy Prioritize Accelerating Joint Energy Projects

Tunisia and Italy are seeking to strengthen their cooperation in the energy sector, with a focus on accelerating projects related to energy efficiency, renewable energy, and decarbonization. The two countries also plan to expand their partnership to include circular economy and clean technology transfer. This new direction was discussed during a meeting in Tunis between Nafaa Bekkari, director-general of the National Agency for Energy Management (ANME), and Alessandro Prunas, Italian ambassador to Tunisia.

The meeting, which also included Andrea Ghisara, economic and commercial officer and first secretary of the Italian embassy, and Hassen Aguerbi, head of international relations at ANME, aimed to identify ways to speed up the implementation of projects led by ANME with Italian financing or partnership. The goal is to move beyond cooperation agreements and make concrete progress on programs already underway, ultimately enhancing the impact on Tunisia's energy transition.

In addition to ongoing projects, the two parties explored new areas of cooperation that could facilitate expertise sharing, clean technology transfer, and innovative solution development. The circular economy was also identified as a key area for expanding partnership prospects. The strategic nature of Tunisian-Italian cooperation, based on solid relations and common interests, was reaffirmed during the meeting.

The meeting's participants emphasized the need to increase investments, diversify collaboration mechanisms, and broaden intervention areas to create higher-value-added projects. Accelerating action programs and activities outlined in existing agreements is a priority, with a focus on transforming bilateral commitments into concrete achievements in priority sectors.

The two countries are also considering triangular cooperation with African countries, aiming to leverage Tunisian and Italian expertise and strengthen knowledge and experience exchanges in energy transition and sustainable development. This regional opening is expected to consolidate Tunisia's role as a partner in African energy transition initiatives while enhancing its cooperation with Italy.

According to the ANME, this approach aligns with the two countries' desire to strengthen their partnership and focus on regional and African projects. The initiative is seen as a way to give a new dimension to Tunisian-Italian cooperation, with a focus on shared expertise and interests.

The cooperation between Tunisia and Italy is expected to have a positive impact on the region, promoting sustainable development and energy transition. The two countries' commitment to accelerating joint energy projects and expanding their partnership is seen as a significant step towards achieving their energy goals.

Key points

• Tunisia and Italy aim to accelerate projects related to energy efficiency, renewable energy, and decarbonization.
• The two countries plan to expand their partnership to include circular economy and clean technology transfer.
• Tunisia and Italy are considering triangular cooperation with African countries to promote sustainable development and energy transition.