Mauritania Commemorates World Environment Day

Mauritania celebrated, on Monday in Nouakchott, World Environment Day and World Oceans Day under the theme **“Together for Environmental Protection and Ocean Preservation,”** commemorating four major international occasions that occupy a central place in the global environmental agenda, namely: World Biodiversity Day, World Environment Day, World Oceans Day, and the World Day to Combat Desertification and Drought.

In a speech delivered on this occasion, the Minister of Environment and Sustainable Development, Ms. Messaouda Mint Baham Ould Mohamed Laghdaf, emphasized that these events represent an opportunity to renew awareness of the importance of maintaining balance among terrestrial and marine ecosystems, climate, and biodiversity, as fundamental pillars for achieving development and ensuring food security, public health, and economic well-being.

She indicated that the themes adopted for this year reflect the interdependence of global environmental issues, calling for local action to protect biodiversity, accelerate climate efforts that support sustainable development, strengthen the rational management of marine resources, as well as rehabilitate land and combat desertification and drought.

The Minister stressed that Mauritania is facing growing environmental challenges, notably the expansion of desertification affecting more than 84% of the national territory, the worsening effects of climate change, increasing pressure on natural resources, and the risks threatening the coastal zone and both terrestrial and marine biodiversity.

She added that the government, in accordance with the directives of His Excellency the President of the Republic, Mr. Mohamed Ould Cheikh El Ghazouani, continues to implement programs and reforms aimed at strengthening resilience to climate change, protecting natural resources, and reinforcing the principles of sustainable development across various public policies.

Mint Mohamed Laghdaf emphasized that the success of environmental policies requires collective mobilization involving various stakeholders, including public authorities, local communities, the private sector, civil society, and educational and media institutions. She affirmed that the environmental transition also constitutes a promising economic opportunity through support for the green economy, innovation, and job creation.

For his part, the Resident Representative of the United Nations Development Programme in Mauritania, Mr. Mansour Ndiaye, affirmed that preserving and restoring natural capital is an essential condition for ensuring a sustainable future. He highlighted the vital importance of oceans for climate balance and food security, as well as the role of the maritime sector in the national economy.

In turn, the Deputy Mayor of the municipality of Tevragh Zeina, Mr. Mohamed Laghdaf Ould Baham Mohamed Laghdaf, praised the government’s efforts to protect the environment, affirming the municipality’s continued implementation of its programs related to beach cleanliness and the preservation of environmental spaces within the limits of its responsibilities.

The commemorative activities concluded with the recognition of pioneering institutions in the fields of recycling and environmental innovation, and the launch of a beach-cleaning campaign with the participation of civil society organizations, along with awareness-raising activities on the protection of coastal dunes and sustainable waste management.

On the sidelines of the celebration, the Minister conducted a field visit to Breach No. 18, located between the old port and the Friendship Port, where she reviewed the work carried out under the “Waka” project aimed at strengthening the protection of the southern coast of the city of Nouakchott against the risks of erosion and tidal impacts.