Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development Yacine Oualid recently met with the Director-General of the Global Green Growth Institute (GGGI), Mr. Sanghyun Kim, to discuss potential collaborations in sustainable development. Mr. Kim was accompanied by the Regional Director for the Middle East and North Africa and other experts from the institute.
The discussions centered on exploring opportunities for cooperation between Algeria and the GGGI, with a focus on bolstering sustainable development within the agriculture and fisheries sectors. These sectors face significant challenges due to climate change, making innovative solutions crucial.
Minister Oualid highlighted Algeria’s experience in developing desert agriculture to sustainably meet national food needs. He also emphasized the country’s efforts in combating desertification through the Green Dam project, which is undergoing a comprehensive rehabilitation as part of the national strategy to adapt to climate change and achieve sustainable development in the High Plateaus region.
The national afforestation program and the restoration of areas affected by wildfires were also presented. This includes the volunteer initiative that saw the planting of one million trees on October 26, 2025, with a larger campaign planned for February 14, 2026, aiming to plant five million trees.
Mr. Kim provided an overview of GGGI’s mission and areas of intervention in supporting sustainable development. Both parties agreed on several areas for future collaboration, including providing technical support for the establishment of a center of excellence for agriculture in arid regions of Algeria. This initiative aims to promote innovation and best practices in dryland farming.
Further areas of cooperation include the exchange of expertise in green growth, with a strong emphasis on the role of innovation and artificial intelligence. The GGGI also expressed its willingness to provide technical support for financing sustainable agricultural projects, potentially launching programs encompassing the water-food-energy nexus. These collaborations are expected to significantly contribute to Algeria’s sustainable development goals.
