WWF North Africa will hold the official launch meeting of the “Plastic Smart Port” project on 3 December 2025 at the Royal ASBU Hotel in Tunis. This pioneering initiative aims to transform Mediterranean tourist and artisanal fishing ports into models of plastic pollution prevention, circularity, and sustainable waste management.
Bringing together national institutions, international partners, and key local stakeholders, the event will mark the official start of a collaborative effort led by WWF, coordinated by the University of Rostock, and supported by the German Federal Ministry for the Environment (BMUKN).
High-level opening session
The meeting will begin with welcome remarks from representatives of the project’s main institutions, highlighting the urgency of reducing plastic leakage from ports — true entry points for waste into the marine environment.
Speakers include:
- Ms. Saba Guellouz, Conservation Director, WWF North Africa
- Dr. Abdallah Nassour, Project Coordinator, University of Rostock
- Ms. Susanne Altvater, Representative of the German Federal Ministry for the Environment, Nature Conservation, Nuclear Safety and Consumer Protection (BMUKN)
- Mr. Ali Cheikh Seboui, Director General of Fisheries and Aquaculture, Ministry of Agriculture, Water Resources and Fisheries
- Ms. Awatef Larbi Messai, Acting Director General of Environment and Quality of Life, representing the Ministry of the Environment
Their remarks will emphasize the project’s role in supporting national strategies, improving port waste management, and promoting innovation and community engagement.
National strategies and future local actions
The first session will focus on Tunisia’s national efforts to combat plastic pollution, with contributions expected from:
- The Directorate General for Environment and Quality of Life (DGEQV)
- The Directorate General of Fisheries and Aquaculture (DGPA)
- The Agency of Ports and Fishing Installations (APIP)
- The National Waste Management Agency (ANGed)
These presentations will highlight the importance of integrating port operations into national environmental policies.
Spotlight on local initiatives
Participants will learn about successful local initiatives such as Adopt a Beach, Zigofiltre, and Ghost Gear Recovery, which will serve as key references for future activities within the Mediterranean Plastic Smart Ports project.
Presentation of the Mediterranean Plastic Smart Ports project
During the central session, project partners — the University of Rostock, WWF Mediterranean, Enalia, WWF Türkiye, and WWF North Africa — will present the project’s vision, objectives, and implementation approach.
The initiative will focus on:
- Reducing plastic leakage from tourist and fishing port activities
- Testing and deploying innovative solutions to reduce single-use plastics
- Introducing waste management systems that promote recycling
- Engaging fishing communities and local stakeholders
- Strengthening knowledge exchange among Mediterranean countries
Stakeholder dialogue
The workshop will conclude with an interactive discussion bringing together port managers, institutional partners, NGOs, researchers, and representatives of local communities. This exchange will help build a shared understanding of priorities and challenges while reinforcing collective commitment to creating cleaner, smarter, and more resilient ports under the Smart Ports project.
Source: Realites
