Tunisian Foreign Minister Mohamed Ali Nafti has highlighted the crucial role of water in the country's development plan for the coming period and its foreign policy. He emphasized the need to enhance "water diplomacy" as a national effort to address the challenges of water stress through bilateral and multilateral cooperation and attracting investments to finance projects outlined in the 2050 water strategy. This statement was made during a meeting with Dr. Fahad bin Abdul Rahman bin Ghanim, founding member of the Global Water Organization.
The meeting took place at the Tunisian mission in New York on the sidelines of the high-level week of the 81st session of the United Nations General Assembly. Minister Nafti stressed the importance of enhancing cooperation, exchanging expertise, and data to address increasing challenges in this vital field. He praised the Saudi initiative to establish the Global Water Organization and affirmed its role in uniting international efforts. Tunisia is committed to enhancing cooperation in developing non-traditional water resources, improving drinking water network efficiency, and reusing treated wastewater.
Minister Nafti expressed Tunisia's interest in the opportunities for technical cooperation provided by the Global Water Organization, including exchanging experiences, experiments, data, and research, and enhancing partnerships in water resource governance. He showed willingness to share Tunisia's experience and expertise in this field and contribute scientifically, technically, and cognitively to the success of the 11th World Water Forum, which will be held in Riyadh in March 2027.
Dr. Fahad bin Abdul Rahman bin Ghanim praised Tunisia's experience and accumulated expertise in various fields, including education, health, and water management. He expressed appreciation for the experiences and experiments that Tunisia can offer within the framework of cooperation with the organization. He renewed his aspiration for Tunisia to join this young organization and contribute to enhancing international efforts to address global water challenges.
The Global Water Organization aims to bring together countries and international stakeholders to address water challenges and promote cooperation in the field. The organization seeks to provide a platform for dialogue, knowledge sharing, and coordination of efforts to achieve water security and sustainable development. Tunisia's participation in the organization is expected to strengthen its position in international water diplomacy.
Minister Nafti's emphasis on water diplomacy comes at a time when Tunisia is facing significant challenges in managing its water resources. The country's water strategy for 2050 aims to improve water efficiency, reduce water losses, and promote the use of non-traditional water sources. The strategy also seeks to enhance international cooperation and attract investments to support the development of the water sector.
The meeting between Minister Nafti and Dr. bin Ghanim concluded with a reaffirmation of the importance of cooperation and collaboration in addressing global water challenges. The two parties expressed their commitment to working together to promote water security and sustainable development. KEY_POINT: Tunisian Foreign Minister Mohamed Ali Nafti emphasizes the importance of water diplomacy and international cooperation to address water security challenges.
