Foreign Minister Presides Over Closing Ceremony of First Mauritanian Diaspora Forum
Minister of Foreign Affairs, African Cooperation, and Mauritanians Abroad Mohamed Salem Ould Merzoug presided Saturday evening over the closing ceremony of the first Mauritanian Diaspora Forum, held at the Mokhtar Ould Daddah Convention Center in Nouakchott.
The three-day forum brought together representatives of Mauritanian communities abroad, lawmakers, government officials, and regional and international partners to discuss the challenges facing Mauritanians living abroad and explore ways to strengthen their contribution to national development.
The program featured plenary sessions and discussion workshops addressing a range of economic, social, and cultural issues affecting Mauritanian expatriates. Participants worked to develop practical recommendations aimed at improving their living conditions and expanding their involvement in the country’s development efforts.
In his closing remarks, delivered on behalf of President Mohamed Ould Cheikh El Ghazouani, Ould Merzoug described the forum as an important opportunity to exchange views and experiences, identify the challenges facing Mauritanian communities in their countries of residence, and develop concrete proposals that respond to their expectations.
He said discussions had been marked by constructive engagement among diaspora representatives, lawmakers, relevant government departments, and regional and international partners, helping produce recommendations that reflect the concerns and priorities of participants.
The minister stressed that the forum reflected President El Ghazouani’s political commitment to giving priority to the concerns of Mauritanians living abroad in government policies and national development programs.
He noted that the president’s address to participants at the forum’s opening had provided the framework for the discussions, emphasizing the need to identify challenges facing overseas communities and develop lasting solutions. These efforts, he said, should ensure that Mauritanians abroad can fully exercise their rights, expand their political participation and economic initiatives, preserve their cultural identity, and contribute more actively to national development.
Ould Merzoug reaffirmed his ministry’s commitment to following up on the implementation of the seven main recommendations outlined in the forum’s final declaration, in coordination with the relevant government departments. He also emphasized the importance of regularly updating diaspora communities and their representatives on progress through Mauritanian diplomatic and consular missions abroad.
The minister further highlighted the importance of harnessing the skills, knowledge, and professional experience Mauritanians have acquired abroad and putting those resources to work for their home country. He specifically encouraged investment in Mauritania and the transfer of scientific, technical, and professional expertise.
He thanked lawmakers, diaspora representatives, and community members for their participation and contributions to the discussions. He also commended government officials who had worked in recent months to review concerns raised by expatriates and develop proposals to address them.
Ould Merzoug also recognized the contributions of prominent community figures and civil society organizations, as well as delegations from friendly countries that attended the inaugural forum and shared their experiences in managing diaspora affairs.
For his part, Mohamed Maouloud Ould Mohamed Salem, ambassador and director general of Mauritanians Abroad, presented the forum’s main conclusions while reading the final declaration.
He said participants had welcomed President El Ghazouani’s participatory and consultative approach to addressing diaspora issues, as well as his commitment to turning the forum’s conclusions into practical and sustainable measures.
Participants also praised initiatives announced by the relevant ministries in response to concerns raised by Mauritanian communities during the forum’s preparatory phase.
According to the final declaration, participants reaffirmed their commitment to working together to implement the forum’s recommendations, protect Mauritanian citizens and their property abroad, safeguard their dignity and cultural identity, strengthen their contribution to national development, and make better use of their expertise and professional experience.
The final declaration sets out seven main recommendations designed to strengthen ties between Mauritania and its communities living abroad.
Among the proposals is the establishment of a National Diaspora Council to provide a framework for representation and consultation on issues affecting Mauritanians abroad.
Participants also called for the creation of an investment support fund to encourage diaspora investment and facilitate money transfers through safer, more affordable channels.
Another proposal calls for the issuance of Sharia-compliant Islamic investment certificates, or sukuk, specifically targeting Mauritanians abroad, with state guarantees and coordination between the Central Bank and relevant government departments.
The recommendations also include launching a national program to mobilize the expertise of Mauritanian professionals living abroad and channel their skills toward national development priorities.
In addition, participants proposed establishing a national social assistance fund to help cover the repatriation of the remains of Mauritanians who die abroad and provide support in exceptional humanitarian situations.
The declaration further recommends expanding Mauritania’s consular network to cover countries with significant Mauritanian populations.
Finally, participants called for the establishment of educational and cultural centers in countries hosting large Mauritanian communities. These centers would help younger generations maintain strong ties with their country of origin and preserve their cultural identity.
The forum’s conclusion marks an effort to establish a more structured partnership between Mauritania and its diaspora, with an emphasis on protecting citizens abroad, encouraging investment, and mobilizing overseas expertise in support of national development.