AGP Executive Report

Water Pollution: Algerian authorities say they are deploying advanced monitoring, testing and filtration to address pollution entering Oued Mouilah in Tlemcen from Morocco, citing risks to water and environmental security. Climate Finance: The Green Climate Fund approved a record $1.97 billion in new projects; Algeria is among five countries receiving its first single-country project. Marine Biodiversity: The invasive Asian seaweed Rugulopteryx okamurae has spread along the western Mediterranean coast, including Algeria, and can weaken seagrass meadows and damage marine ecosystems. Recycling: Tunisia’s ASSAD Group plans to list its Algerian battery subsidiary to fund expansion at Bouira, including a battery recycling facility. Climate and Land: Algeria is preparing for COP31 and taking part in regional work on sustainable agrifood systems and water cooperation with Tunisia and Libya. Separately, $99.5 million in financing has been announced for the Green Dam, a major effort to combat desertification.

Water Pollution: Algeria says it is strengthening monitoring and treatment of pollution affecting Oued Mouilah in Tlemcen, which authorities attribute to cross-border sources. Climate and Land Restoration: The country is preparing for COP31 and backing desertification control, with $99.5 million in financing announced for the Green Dam and a separate 75-billion-dinar reforestation budget. Marine Biodiversity: The invasive Asian seaweed Rugulopteryx okamurae has reached Algeria’s Mediterranean coast; researchers warn it can weaken seagrass meadows and reduce biodiversity. Water Cooperation: Experts are urging Algeria, Tunisia and Libya to deepen joint water coordination as the region faces growing pressure on supplies. Environmental Legacy: A new documentary revisits France’s 1960 nuclear test near Reggane and its lasting effects on local communities and the Saharan environment.

Water Pollution: Algeria has stepped up monitoring, testing and filtration on Oued Mouilah in Tlemcen to address pollution flowing from Morocco, officials said at a conference on protecting transboundary waterways. Climate Finance: The Green Climate Fund approved a record $3.3 billion in projects this year, with Algeria among five countries receiving a first single-country project; details of Algeria’s project were not provided. COP31 Preparations: Algeria is strengthening its preparations for the UN climate summit and says it will play an active role. Desertification: A $99.5 million financing package will support the Green Dam, while Algeria has also budgeted 75 billion dinars to expand its Green Shield reforestation effort. Regional Water Cooperation: Algeria, Tunisia and Libya are being urged to strengthen their joint mechanism for water cooperation. Nuclear Legacy: A new documentary revisits France’s 1960 atomic test near Reggane and its continuing effects on local communities and the Sahara environment.

Nuclear Legacy: A new documentary by Algerian director Rachid Bouchareb revisits France’s 1960 atomic test near Reggane and its lasting effects on local people and the Sahara environment. Water Pollution: Authorities say they are expanding monitoring, testing and filtration to tackle pollution affecting Oued Mouilah in Tlemcen from across the Moroccan border. Green Dam: Algeria and the FAO are launching a $99.5 million project to restore degraded land and strengthen climate resilience across 454,138 hectares in six wilayas; the Green Climate Fund is contributing $43 million, with Algeria providing $56.5 million. Regional Water Cooperation: Experts urged Algeria, Tunisia and Libya to deepen coordination on shared groundwater management and sustainability. COP31 Preparations: Algeria is finalizing its National Climate Plan and coordinating its negotiating position ahead of next month’s climate summit in Türkiye.

Water Pollution: Algerian authorities say they are using advanced monitoring, analysis and filtration to address pollution in Oued Mouilah, Tlemcen, which they attribute to cross-border flows from Morocco. Green Dam: A $99.5 million climate project will restore degraded land and strengthen resilience across 454,138 hectares in six wilayas; the Green Climate Fund is providing $43 million, with Algeria contributing $56.5 million. Climate Planning: Algeria is finalizing its National Climate Plan ahead of COP31, after submitting its climate pledge in June. Officials also highlighted cooperation with Tunisia and Libya to protect shared groundwater resources. Marine Biodiversity: The invasive “Asian seaweed” has spread along Algeria’s Mediterranean coast, threatening Posidonia seagrass meadows and the wildlife they support.

Climate Finance: Algeria’s first Green Climate Fund project brings $99.5 million to restore degraded land and strengthen climate resilience across 454,138 hectares in six wilayas along the Green Dam. The state is contributing $56.5 million, with $43 million from the fund; the plan also targets sustainable forest management and rural livelihoods. COP31 Preparations: Algeria is completing its National Climate Plan and coordinating its negotiating position ahead of next month’s climate summit in Türkiye. Water Cooperation: Experts urged Algeria, Tunisia and Libya to deepen coordination on shared groundwater resources and their long-term sustainability. Mediterranean Biodiversity: A fast-spreading invasive seaweed has been reported along Algeria’s coast; researchers warn it can damage seagrass meadows and reduce marine biodiversity.

Climate Diplomacy: Environment Minister Kaoutar Krikou says Algeria will take an active role at next month’s COP31 in Türkiye. Water Cooperation: Experts in Tlemcen called for closer Algeria-Tunisia-Libya coordination to manage shared groundwater and protect its long-term supply. Land Restoration: The Green Climate Fund approved projects worth $184.8 million in Algeria and Mexico; Algeria’s first GCF project will support climate-resilient land management. Reforestation: Algeria is expanding its Green Shield programme with a 75-billion-dinar budget. Desalination: A recent analysis warns that desalination can ease drought but carries environmental costs, underscoring the need to weigh impacts as Algeria develops water supplies.

Climate Finance: The Green Climate Fund has approved $184.8 million for projects in Algeria and Mexico. Algeria’s first GCF project will support climate-resilient land management, forest conservation, sustainable livestock and restoration; the fund did not break out Algeria’s share of the total. Reforestation: Algeria is expanding its Green Shield programme with a 75-billion-dinar budget, aiming to restore tree cover and curb desertification. Water: A report highlights seawater desalination as a response to drought, but warns of environmental costs. Wildlife: The Barbary leopard’s survival in the Atlas Mountains remains uncertain, with reports of its presence in the wild sparse and unverified.

Energy Transition: At the GECF meeting in Moscow, Prime Minister Sifi Ghrieb called for a mechanism to steer investment in gas infrastructure and said the sector should support the energy transition, with research focused on cutting emissions. Reforestation: Algeria is expanding its Green Shield programme with a 75-billion-dinar budget, backing efforts to restore tree cover across the country. Climate Commitments: The UN has commended Algeria’s fulfillment of its climate commitments and environmental action. Water and Farming: Bayer is testing hybrid corn seeds in southern desert regions, aiming to cover about 5,000 hectares within five years; the trials face the challenge of drought and limited water. A separate report raises concerns about the environmental costs of seawater desalination as a response to drought.

Reforestation: Algeria is expanding its Green Shield programme with a 75-billion-dinar budget, reinforcing efforts to restore vegetation and limit desertification. Farming and Water: Bayer has begun desert-region trials of hybrid corn, targeting 5,000 hectares over five years. The tests will assess yields under local conditions, where drought and scarce water are major challenges. Drought Response: Desalination is being presented as a way to address water shortages, but its environmental costs remain a concern. Climate Action: The UN has commended Algeria’s climate commitments and environmental work. Nature Projects: A renewed IUCN–French Global Environment Facility programme will fund civil-society conservation projects across North Africa; its earlier phases supported projects in Algeria, including ecosystem restoration and species protection.

Desert Agriculture: Bayer is testing hybrid corn seeds in Algeria’s southern desert, with trials using center-pivot irrigation ahead of a possible 5,000-hectare rollout. The push for higher yields comes as drought and limited water make groundwater use a growing concern. Groundwater Pressure: A large Adrar farming project plans 710 irrigation wells within two years, drawing on a hyper-arid Saharan aquifer to support 70,000 hectares of cropland. Reforestation: Algeria is expanding its Green Shield programme with a 75-billion-dinar budget to restore forest cover. Water Supply: Desalination can help address drought, but its high energy use and concentrated brine discharges pose environmental costs. Regional Pollution: Algeria sent a technical team to Niger after an oil-well incident and spill, as the neighbouring country faces concerns over pollution and lasting damage.

Water and Agriculture: A major irrigation scheme in Adrar will drill 710 wells, 250–350 metres deep, to water 70,000 hectares of crops for an integrated dairy and livestock project. In the hyper-arid Sahara, the scale of groundwater extraction raises questions about long-term water sustainability. Reforestation: Algeria plans to plant 38.8 million seedlings in 2026–27, including 27.45 million for the Green Shield, a 1,500-kilometre effort to curb desertification across 13 steppe provinces. Sahel Pollution Risks: Algeria has sent technical experts to Niger after an oil-well incident. Reports warn of risks to desert wildlife and methane pollution; a spill at the field was reported contained. Water Security: Desalination can help address drought, but its high energy use and concentrated brine discharge carry environmental costs—an important consideration as North African countries expand the technology.

Water and Farming: A major Adrar project will drill 710 wells to irrigate farmland for a new dairy complex. The scale raises questions about pressure on groundwater in the hyper-arid Sahara. Desertification: Algeria is expanding its Green Shield reforestation program across 13 steppe provinces, with 27.45 million seedlings planned for the initiative in 2026–27. Water Research: UNESCO experts have positively assessed an Adrar University proposal focused on foggara irrigation, traditional water knowledge with potential value for sustainable management. Sahel Oil Spill: Algeria has sent technical experts to Niger after a severe oil-well blowout in the Agadem basin, where the spill and eruption posed risks to nearby wells and desert wildlife. Climate and Water: The UN has commended Algeria’s climate commitments, while growing reliance on desalination across North Africa highlights the trade-offs of energy use and concentrated brine discharge.

Water Security: Desalination is gaining ground as drought worsens across North Africa, but high energy use and concentrated brine can harm marine environments—underscoring the need to pair new supply with sustainable water management. Green Shield: Algeria plans to restore nearly 48,000 hectares in 2026–27, planting 38.8 million seedlings as part of a 75-billion-dinar push to curb desertification and erosion across 13 steppe provinces. Sahel Oil Risks: A blowout at Niger’s Goumeri W8 well has raised concerns about pollution and nearby wildlife; Algeria has sent technical experts to support the response. Water Heritage: UNESCO experts gave positive assessments to Algerian proposals on Saharan foggara irrigation and water science, highlighting traditional expertise in managing scarce water. Climate Action: The UN has commended Algeria’s climate commitments, while the country’s financial regulator has adopted rules for green securities.

Reforestation: Algeria is expanding the Green Shield across 13 steppe provinces, with a 75 billion-dinar budget. Plans for 2026–27 include 47,917 hectares of restoration and 38.8 million seedlings to help curb desertification and erosion. Climate Commitments: The UN climate chief praised Algeria’s 2035 emissions target and its long-term vision for low-carbon development and climate resilience. Circular Economy: Officials are promoting youth-led recycling businesses, backed by tax incentives and support to connect startups with waste streams. Regional Environmental Risk: Algeria has sent technical experts to Niger after a major oil-well blowout; reports have raised concerns about pollution and risks to desert wildlife. Water Research: UNESCO experts gave a positive assessment to an Algerian university proposal focused on foggara irrigation and sustainable water management in Saharan regions.

Climate Commitments: The UN climate chief praised Algeria’s updated 2035 emissions target and its long-term plan for low-carbon development and climate resilience. Circular Economy: Algeria’s environment and startup ministries are encouraging young people to build recycling businesses, with support for waste collection, sorting and reuse. Saharan Water: UNESCO experts gave positive evaluations to two Algerian university proposals, including research on Adrar’s traditional foggara irrigation systems, vital for managing water in arid regions. Niger Oil Emergency: Algeria sent technical experts to help Niger respond to the Goumeri W8 well blowout. The incident raised concerns about pollution and risks to fragile desert ecosystems; reports said the oil spill was contained.