AFD 30th anniversary

The French Development Agency (AFD) organized on June 28, 2022, at la Cité des Sciences in Tunis, a conference on : « Climate, Environment, Biodiversity : priorities for the Planet, actions for Tunisia », as a celebration of 30 years of intervention in Tunisia. A number of Tunisian and French leading figures took part in the event with about 200 experts and decision-makers working on the conference topics.  

Mr. André Parant, French Ambassador in Tunisia, who was present for the opening of the conference welcomed the organization of this event on Climate, Environment and Biodiversity, which are « fundamental for the future of Tunisia and at the heart of the French diplomacy priorities ». 

The AFD has been working for the last 30 years in Tunisia to reduce socio-economic vulnerabilities, but also to help preserve biodiversity and fight against climate change, in order to allow Tunisia fair and sustainable development. This partnership has grown considerably since 2011, with nearly 2 billion euros in 10 years, 130 projects and concrete results for thousands of Tunisians. Mr. Parant also said : « Over 30 years and through the AFD, France has been investing in Tunisia for sustainable development, encouraging resilient investments, supporting the energy transition of public stakeholders and providing support to civil society committed to the environment ». 

Tunisia is considered to be one of the Mediterranean countries most exposed to climate change. Mr. Elyes Hamza, Minister of Agriculture, Water Resources and Fisheries, indicated : « Today, climate change is a reality », he also reminded that « farmers need immediate assistance to adapt, through greater mobilization of water resources and better management of the demand ». 

During the closing discussion panel of the conference, Mr. Samir Saied, Minister of Economy and Planning, indicated that « the 4th focus of the 2035 vision that is being developed relates to the environment », in order to make sure that Tunisia is on the path of sustainable development.  

Mr. Christian YOKA, Africa Director at the French Development Agency (AFD), underlined that given the importance of the challenges, « we need to take immediate action, to find and support all efforts of change to influence our global orientation and adapt as quickly as possible to the already irreversible impacts of our past choices ». He also indicated that the « AFD will go hand in hand with Tunisia and all Tunisians, over the next 30 years, I hope, to meet these major challenges and engage in a resilient development ».  

About the AFD : The French Development Agency (AFD), a key player in France development policy, is a public and solidarity-based financial institution. It is committed to projects that concretely improve the daily lives of the populations in developing and emerging countries and overseas. The AFD works in many sectors - energy, health, biodiversity, water, digital, training and supports the transition to a safer, fairer and more sustainable world, a world for all. Its action is fully in line with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Our teams are involved in more than 4,000 projects with a strong social and environmental impact in the French overseas territories and in 115 countries. The AFD Group has been working in Tunisia since 1992 and has supported approximately 200 projects and programs worth €4 billion in financial commitments. All AFD financial tools (loans, subsidies, guarantees, participations) are implemented for the benefit of the State, public and private companies, financial institutions, local authorities and associations, for the employment, support for young people and the development of infrastructures and territories, with an emphasis on regional rebalancing and the fight against climate change. 

https://www.afd.fr/en