North Africa, with its naturally arid or semi-arid climate, is already experiencing the effects of climate change such as exacerbated water stress, reduced agricultural yields and increased frequency and intensity of extreme events. According to a recent report by the Mediterranean Network of Experts on Environment and Climate Change (MedeCC), the area is experiencing a temperature increase at a rate 20% higher than global averages, which could, without further action, reach +2.2°C as early as 2040 and could reach +2.2°C by 2030. up to +3.8 °C in some areas by 2100.
It is for these reasons that the French Development Agency (AFD) and the Sahara and Sahel Observatory (OSS), an organization established in Tunis and with recognised expertise in the field of the environment. the subject of water resources and climate change in arid and semi-arid zones, have decided to build together the initiative "Water stress and climate change in North Africa".
The purpose of this regional initiative is to promote the dialogue of public policies in the region (Algeria, Egypt, Libya, Morocco and Tunisia) for an 18-month period and to foster a regional-scale knowledge sharing on issues and solutions to contend with these challenges. The initiative will make it possible to create avenues for dialogue with the production of summary documents by country and at the regional level and the release of research documents in AFD's collections.