The Tunisian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Migration and Tunisians Abroad hosted a ceremony on November 10, 2026, to sign a donation agreement with the Netherlands. The agreement provides €60.92 million to finance Tunisia's coastal protection program. The deal was signed by Tunisian Foreign Minister Mohamed Ali Nafti and Melanie Maas Geesteranus, CEO of Invest International B.V., a Dutch institution that finances projects aligned with the Sustainable Development Goals.
The donation will fund the fourth, fifth, and additional phases of Tunisia's coastal protection program, launched in 2013 with German cooperation and financing from the Kreditanstalt für Wiederaufbau (KfW). The program aims to protect three additional sites: Bizerte, the area from Sousse-Sud to Skanès and Qaraiya in Monastir, and the northeastern coast of Djerba Island. An environmental impact study will also be conducted for the coastal area from Beni Khiar to Yasmine Hammamet.
The agreement was signed in the presence of Dewi van de Weerd, the designated Dutch Ambassador to Tunis, and Elisabeth Wolbers, the German Ambassador to Tunis. Tunisian Foreign Minister Mohamed Ali Nafti praised the strong friendship and cooperation between Tunisia and the Netherlands. He expressed Tunisia's appreciation for Dutch support and its desire to strengthen bilateral cooperation in various fields.
Melanie Maas Geesteranus emphasized her country's interest in developing cooperation with Tunisia as a key partner in North Africa. The Dutch donation demonstrates the Netherlands' commitment to supporting sustainable development projects in Tunisia. The coastal protection program aims to mitigate the effects of climate change and protect Tunisia's coastline from erosion and pollution.
The Tunisian government has been working to protect its coastline from the impacts of climate change, including sea-level rise and coastal erosion. The coastal protection program is a vital initiative to safeguard the country's economy, which relies heavily on tourism and agriculture. The program will also help preserve the country's rich cultural heritage and natural resources.
The Netherlands has a strong track record of supporting sustainable development projects in Tunisia. The country's expertise in water management, agriculture, and infrastructure development will be valuable in implementing the coastal protection program. The donation is a significant contribution to Tunisia's efforts to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals.
The implementation of the coastal protection program is expected to have a positive impact on Tunisia's environment and economy. The project will create jobs, stimulate local economic growth, and enhance the country's resilience to climate change. The Tunisian government has expressed its gratitude to the Netherlands for its support and looks forward to continuing their cooperation in the future.
Key points
- The Netherlands donates €60.92 million to support Tunisia's coastal protection program.
- The program aims to protect three additional sites and conduct an environmental impact study.
- The donation demonstrates the Netherlands' commitment to supporting sustainable development projects in Tunisia.
