On September 28, 2026, Tunisia's Minister of Foreign Affairs, Migration, and Tunisians Abroad, Mohamed Ali Nafti, held a meeting with Rania Al-Mashat, the United Nations' Deputy Secretary-General and Executive Secretary of the Economic and Social Commission for Western Asia (CESAO). The meeting took place on the sidelines of the high-level week of the 81st session of the UN General Assembly in New York. The two parties discussed ways to strengthen and expand cooperation between Tunisia and CESAO in various fields, including economy, social, technology, and development.
The meeting also touched on CESAO's initiative to convert debt into climate action and development financing. Both parties emphasized the importance of technical support from CESAO for Tunisia to develop a roadmap and identify priority projects. Nafti stressed the need to move from the initiative phase to concrete action by concluding debt conversion agreements with partners and funders. This would help alleviate Tunisia's debt burden and mobilize additional resources for climate action and inclusive development.
During the meeting, Nafti congratulated Al-Mashat on her new role and reaffirmed Tunisia's appreciation for CESAO's role in supporting Arab countries and accompanying their economic and social development efforts. He highlighted the importance of CESAO's support in addressing the challenges faced by Arab countries. The two parties discussed ways to enhance cooperation and explore new areas of collaboration.
The discussion also focused on the importance of implementing reforms and promoting human rights. Nafti emphasized Tunisia's commitment to these issues and its efforts to address the challenges in these areas. The meeting demonstrated the commitment of both parties to strengthening cooperation and promoting sustainable development.
CESAO's initiative to convert debt into climate financing is a significant step towards addressing the challenges of climate change and sustainable development. The initiative aims to support countries in their efforts to achieve sustainable development goals and address the impacts of climate change. Tunisia's participation in this initiative reflects its commitment to addressing these global challenges.
The meeting between Nafti and Al-Mashat reflects the strong cooperation between Tunisia and the UN. The two parties have a long history of collaboration on various issues, including economic development, social justice, and human rights. The meeting demonstrated the shared commitment of both parties to promoting sustainable development and addressing global challenges.
The outcome of the meeting is expected to contribute to the strengthening of cooperation between Tunisia and CESAO. The two parties are expected to work together to implement the initiatives discussed during the meeting. This cooperation is expected to have a positive impact on Tunisia's development and its efforts to address the challenges of climate change and sustainable development.
Key points
- Tunisia's Foreign Minister Mohamed Ali Nafti pushes for debt conversion into climate financing with UN's Rania Al-Mashat.
