President of the Republic, AU Chairman: Mauritania is Ready to put its Enormous Renewable Energy Potential at the Service of Africa and the Global Economy

The President of the Republic, Chairman of the African Union (AU), Mohamed Ould Cheikh El Ghazouani, affirmed that Mauritania is firmly committed to playing a leading role on the world stage in the field of green economy, especially in the field of hydrogen.

In a speech at a working lunch organized by the Paris Pact Alliance for Peoples and the Planet on Wednesday on the sidelines of the 79th regular session of the United Nations General Assembly in New York, in the presence of a number of heads of state and government, His Excellency said that Mauritania is ready to put its enormous potential in the field of renewable energy at the service of the African continent and the global economy.

The following is the text of the speech of His Excellency the President of the Republic:

“Your Excellency, dear brother and friend William Ruto, President of the Republic of Kenya,

– Your Excellencies the Presidents,

Ladies and gentlemen, heads of delegation,

– Distinguished guests,

–Ladies and gentlemen

Allow me at the outset to express my sincere greetings and gratitude for the bold initiative of my dear brother and friend, His Excellency the President of the Republic of Kenya.

His commitment to bringing African nations together around a topic of such vital importance – such as climate change – is a shining demonstration of his wisdom and leadership.

We are now just months away from the UN Climate Change Conference (COP29) in Azerbaijan, and this approach to coordination and consultation will undoubtedly enable us to respond to the urgent need for stronger collective action across the continent.

With this in mind, I would also like to warmly congratulate him on organizing the first African Climate Summit in September 2023. This historic summit led to the adoption of the Nairobi Declaration of Leaders on Climate Change.

This declaration, ladies and gentlemen, made a decisive contribution to the crystallization of a clear and strong continental position at the 28th United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP28) in the United Arab Emirates.

Thanks to this unity and shared vision, Africa has been able to make its voice heard on the international stage.

–Ladies and gentlemen

Our Committee’s privileged role, which we accept responsibly, is the spearhead of the African common position, and we are committed to defending our interests and are also committed to working for our continent to speak with one voice in international negotiations on climate change.

Our collective action is our strength, and this unity is more necessary than ever in the coming months as we prepare for the United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP29), and one of the main challenges in these negotiations will be to set the new collective goal, which will replace the $100 billion target by 2020. This goal, which is crucial for financing mitigation and adaptation measures, requires close coordination among our States.

Africa, as the continent most vulnerable to the effects of climate change, needs to play its full role in the discussions and to receive guarantees of sustainable and predictable financial support.

–Ladies and gentlemen

I would also like to emphasize that Mauritania is firmly committed to playing a leading role on the world stage in the field of green economy, especially in the field of hydrogen.

We are ready to put our enormous renewable energy potential at the service of the continent and the global economy. Our 750-kilometre coastline, with near-continuous winds of over 9 metres per second, offers a unique opportunity to build huge wind farms.

Similarly, our land benefits from an exceptional amount of sunlight estimated at 2,000 to 2,300 kilowatt-hours per square meter per year. These resources will make Mauritania – and thus Africa – a key player in the transition to a low-carbon economy and in the production of green hydrogen. I am convinced that our efforts, along with those of our brothers on the continent, will enable us to make a decisive contribution to reducing greenhouse gas emissions on a global scale.

– Excellencies,

–Ladies and gentlemen

As we move together towards an uncertain but promising future, it is essential that Africa continue to stand united, resolute and ambitious. It is time to turn our resources, opportunities and potential into concrete action for the benefit of our peoples and future generations.

Thank you for your interest.”