Tunisia Reaffirms Commitment to Protecting the Mediterranean at COP29
On the sidelines of this international conference, the Tunis International Center for Environmental Technologies (CITET) organized a meeting dedicated to sustainable waste management solutions in the tourism sector, a critical issue for preserving our marine environment.
Presided over by the Minister of Environment, Habib Abid, the event highlighted the encouraging results of the TouMaLi project, an initiative aimed at reducing plastic pollution on Tunisian beaches. Funded by Germany and spearheaded by CITET, this project has developed concrete solutions to combat marine waste, including raising awareness among tourism stakeholders and implementing selective waste collection systems.
The results presented at the meeting are promising. Thanks to TouMaLi, numerous Tunisian beaches are already cleaner, and the amount of collected waste has significantly decreased. This success stems from close collaboration between Tunisian authorities, tourism stakeholders, scientists, and civil society.
Participants emphasized the need to go further and extend these initiatives across the entire Tunisian coastline. The strategies « Zone Plastique » and « Less Plastic Zone » were cited as examples. These projects demonstrate Tunisia’s determination to become a model for marine waste management.
Fighting plastic pollution is a challenge that transcends national borders. Tunisia is therefore collaborating with other countries in the region, such as Morocco and Egypt, to develop shared solutions. The TouMaLi project serves as a tangible example of this regional cooperation.
Participants also addressed the issue of funding these projects. The Caisse des Dépôts et Consignations (CDC) was highlighted as a key player in financing green initiatives and combating pollution. By supporting such efforts, the CDC contributes to Tunisia’s ecological transition.
Source: Réalites
