Tunisian Foreign Minister Mohamed Ali Nafti met with Jorge Moreira da Silva, the Executive Director of the United Nations Office for Project Services (UNOPS), on the sidelines of the 81st session of the United Nations General Assembly in New York. The meeting focused on ongoing cooperation programs and potential areas for expansion. According to a statement from the Tunisian Foreign Ministry, both parties discussed ways to strengthen their collaboration.
During the meeting, Nafti expressed Tunisia's satisfaction with the support provided by UNOPS to the country's development process. He highlighted 18 active projects valued at $74.6 million in areas such as health, infrastructure, logistics, and procurement. These projects have contributed significantly to Tunisia's development, and Nafti sought to explore new areas of cooperation, including water management, energy transition, and protecting infrastructure from climate change.
Nafti emphasized the importance of expanding cooperation with UNOPS to address Tunisia's priorities. He cited specific areas of interest, such as managing water resources, transitioning to renewable energy, and safeguarding infrastructure against the impacts of climate change. The two parties agreed to hold a working workshop in November to define a common roadmap for sectoral cooperation.
Moreira da Silva expressed his satisfaction with the outcome of a working meeting held during his previous visit to Tunisia on May 13. He confirmed that UNOPS is committed to strengthening cooperation with Tunisia in priority sectors and contributing to the success of the upcoming workshop in November. The meeting also touched on the UN initiative to secure the transit of fertilizers and raw materials through the Strait of Hormuz.
The UN initiative aims to prevent a global humanitarian and food crisis by ensuring the safe passage of essential goods. Moreira da Silva has been appointed to lead the team responsible for designing the mechanism. Both parties acknowledged the importance of this initiative and its potential impact on global food security.
The meeting between Nafti and Moreira da Silva reflects the strong partnership between Tunisia and UNOPS. The two parties have a history of cooperation, with UNOPS supporting Tunisia's development efforts through various projects. The upcoming workshop in November is expected to further solidify their collaboration and identify new areas of cooperation.
The discussions between Nafti and Moreira da Silva demonstrate Tunisia's commitment to leveraging international partnerships to drive development and address pressing challenges. The country's efforts to strengthen cooperation with UNOPS are expected to yield positive outcomes, contributing to Tunisia's growth and progress in various sectors.
Key points
- Tunisia and UNOPS agree to expand cooperation to new sectors, including water management and energy transition.
- The two parties will hold a working workshop in November to define a common roadmap for sectoral cooperation.
- UNOPS supports Tunisia's development through 18 active projects valued at $74.6 million.
