Mauritania’s Prime Minister, Mokhtar Ould Djay, has called for stronger cooperation between Sahel and Gulf of Guinea countries to address climate threats undermining livelihoods, security and regional stability.
He made the appeal this Tuesday, October 6, 2026, while opening a three-day High-Level ‘Forum on Climate, Peace and Security’ in Nouakchott, on behalf of President Mohamed Ould Cheikh El Ghazouani.
Organised in partnership with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), the forum is being held under the theme, “Together for Resilience and Peace”. It builds on the Bamako Forum held in November 2023, expanding consultations to include Gulf of Guinea countries.
Ould Djay said drought, desertification, land degradation, flooding and coastal erosion were increasing pressure on natural resources, threatening food security and driving displacement.
He urged governments to integrate climate action into public policies, investment decisions and conflict prevention strategies, supported by shared early warning information and joint management of natural resources.
The Prime Minister also called for greater international support through climate finance, adaptation, technology transfer and capacity-building, stressing Africa’s vulnerability despite its limited contribution to global emissions.
Environment Minister Messouda Mint Baham Ould Mohamed Laghdaf urged coordinated responses linking environmental protection, peacebuilding, security and development.
UNDP Resident Representative Mansour Ndiaye described climate change as a factor that intensifies existing vulnerabilities and pledged support for partnerships and investments addressing the region’s shared priorities.