COP17, OSS strengthens coordination with member countries and explores new partnerships

On the sidelines of the 17th Conference of the Parties to the Convention on Biological Diversity in Yerevan, Mr Nabil Ben Khatra, Executive Secretary of the Sahara and Sahel Observatory (OSS), met with representatives of member countries and technical and financial partners. The meetings provided an opportunity to review ongoing cooperation, discuss countries’ support needs and explore new partnerships and funding opportunities.

Discussions with representatives of Guinea and Sudan focused on national priorities and how OSS could support them, building on projects such as RICOWAS, which promotes climate-resilient rice farming, and DRESSEA, which supports drought adaptation.

During his meeting with H.E. Mr Habib Abid, Tunisia’s Minister of Environment, the Executive Secretary reviewed preparations for the submission of the ALFA project to the Green Climate Fund. The project aims to conserve the alfa grass steppe ecosystems of central-western Tunisia and strengthen the resilience of local communities.

Meetings with Mr Koularambaye Koundja Julien, Secretary-General of Chad’s Ministry of Environment, and H.E. Ms Massouda Mint Baham Ould Mohamed Laghdaf, Mauritania’s Minister of Environment, focused on preparations for the launch of ECOVERSE and PRAGOA, respectively. Discussions covered planned activities in sustainable water management, ecosystem restoration and support for local livelihoods.

Financing for environmental initiatives was also discussed with Mr Arona Soumaré of the African Development Bank and Mr Maher Mahjoub of the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN). These meetings explored opportunities to strengthen technical and financial partnerships for biodiversity conservation and land restoration.

The Executive Secretary also met with focal points from OSS member countries and institutions to review joint activities, hear their priorities and agree on the next steps for cooperation.

Together, these meetings helped advance project preparations, clarify the support needed by national institutions and identify potential funding opportunities. They formed part of OSS’s ongoing efforts to work closely with its members and partners to turn shared priorities in biodiversity, climate adaptation and sustainable land management into practical action.