On Wednesday, September 23, 2026, Tunisian Minister of Agriculture, Water Resources, and Maritime Fishing, Azzedine Ben Sheikh, presided over a working session focused on enhancing access to international climate finance for the agricultural, water, and maritime sectors. The session aimed to support projects that can withstand and adapt to climate change. Minister Ben Sheikh emphasized the importance of preparing a portfolio of financeable and implementable projects that align with national and sectoral priorities.
The session discussed the financing mechanisms provided by the Green Climate Fund and the Loss and Damage Response Fund, as well as ways to mobilize international financial resources for priority projects. These projects focus on adapting to climate change, reducing greenhouse gas emissions, and addressing losses and damages caused by extreme climate phenomena. The Minister highlighted the need for a project portfolio that is grounded in scientific data and technical studies to enhance sector resilience and protect natural resources.
Minister Ben Sheikh stressed the importance of inter-ministerial coordination and the role of scientific research in identifying priorities and transforming research findings into actionable, financeable projects. He called on the Agency for the Promotion of Agricultural Investments to provide closer support to project owners and help them meet international climate finance conditions. The Minister also encouraged the inclusion of maritime fishing and aquaculture projects in the climate project portfolio.
The session discussed the need to enhance data systems, evaluation, and analysis related to losses and damages caused by climate change. Participants emphasized the importance of developing conceptual notes and ranking projects according to priority, readiness, and financeability. The Ministry of Agriculture will work with the Ministry of Environment and other national structures to prepare a national portfolio of climate finance projects.
At the session's conclusion, stakeholders agreed to continue coordination between the Ministry of Agriculture, Ministry of Environment, and other relevant national structures. They will focus on developing conceptual notes and prioritizing projects based on their readiness and financeability. This effort aims to enhance access to international climate finance and support project implementation.
The working session brought together various stakeholders, including ministry officials, experts, and representatives from relevant national structures. They shared experiences, expertise, and insights to address the challenges faced by Tunisia's agricultural, water, and maritime sectors in accessing climate finance. The session's outcomes are expected to inform the development of a national climate finance strategy.
The Ministry of Agriculture's efforts to enhance access to climate finance align with Tunisia's commitment to addressing climate change and promoting sustainable development. By supporting projects that build resilience and adapt to climate change, the Ministry aims to protect the country's natural resources, promote food security, and foster sustainable economic growth.
Key points
- Tunisia's Agriculture Ministry convened a session to explore ways to boost access to international climate finance for the agricultural, water, and maritime sectors.
- The session discussed financing mechanisms provided by the Green Climate Fund and the Loss and Damage Response Fund.
- Stakeholders agreed to continue coordination to prepare a national portfolio of climate finance projects.
