AGP Executive Report

Tunisia Water & Climate Resilience: Tunisia’s government is pushing steps to secure drinking water supplies and accelerate public programmes tied to the water system, as climate pressures keep raising the stakes for drought and flooding risk. Biodiversity & Nature Protection: The Green4Value project is boosting biodiversity in Tunisia’s arboretums, supporting conservation through hands-on work in local green spaces. Renewables & Energy Transition: Tunisia’s energy transition is gaining momentum, with wider regional moves toward renewable capacity in the Mediterranean and beyond. World Cup, but with an eco lens: Tunisia’s World Cup campaign continues to draw attention, including coverage of supporter behaviour and match-day conditions—reminding fans that heat and weather planning matter for safer, lower-impact events. Digital Security for Local Finance: The Tunis Stock Exchange renewed key ISO certifications (including ISO 27001) for 2026–2029, strengthening resilience and investor confidence in Tunisia’s financial sector.

World Cup & Weather: Sweden vs Tunisia kicks off in Monterrey on June 14, with Sweden favored and Tunisia needing a result in Group F; meanwhile, the tournament’s early days are already bringing heat and storm risk, including thunderstorm delays and lightning rules that can pause matches. Coastal Pollution Watch: WWF’s “Adopt a Beach” monitoring highlights pollution levels across the Mediterranean, with Tunisia and the region included in the wider effort to track refuse and protect biodiversity. Climate Leadership for Women: Zaghouan hosts a new project (June 23–26) to strengthen women’s leadership and resilience in the face of climate challenges, using field research, training, and media documentation. Energy Investment Trend: A special report says African electricity is shifting away from state-only utility models toward private capital and reliability-focused power deals. Tunisia Diaspora Money: Transfers from Tunisians abroad reached 3.669 billion dinars by end of May 2026, supporting foreign currency reserves and import coverage. Shark Sightings: New reporting flags Mediterranean great white shark hotspots after rare underwater footage between Sicily and Tunisia, urging respect rather than panic.

Climate & Water Resilience: Tunisia’s solar push keeps climbing, with installed capacity nearing 860 MW after nearly 300 MW of new photovoltaic projects came online across Kairouan, Tozeur, Sidi Bouzid and Medenine, boosting renewables to about 9% of electricity generation. Women, Youth & Climate Leadership: Zaghouan hosts the first edition of a project running June 23–26 to strengthen women’s leadership and inclusion in the face of climate challenges, combining field research, training and media documentation. Marine Life & Biodiversity: Divers working to remove ghost nets between Sicily and Tunisia filmed an adult great white shark underwater—rare in the Mediterranean and linked to overfishing pressures. Regional Climate Finance: Experts warn Africa is still getting a fraction of needed climate funding, with a $1 trillion gap and rising debt and illicit financial flows undermining resilience efforts. Energy Transition & Governance: Tunisia’s energy transition gains momentum as new renewable capacity and implementation steps continue to expand a less fossil-fuel-dependent model. Community Safety: The Tunisian Football Federation urges supporters to follow stadium rules for the Tunisia–Sweden match in Monterrey, including no umbrellas and a strict ban on flares and pyrotechnics.

Climate & Water Stress: A new report warns climate stress is tightening its grip across the Middle East and North Africa, with water scarcity, drought and flash floods hitting countries including Tunisia, raising food prices and shrinking safe options for vulnerable communities. Biodiversity & Seas: Divers working to remove ghost nets between Sicily and Tunisia filmed an adult great white shark underwater—rare for the Mediterranean and linked to overfishing pressures. Tunisia Energy Transition: Tunisia’s installed solar capacity is nearing 860 MW after commissioning nearly 300 MW of new photovoltaic projects, with renewables now about 9% of electricity production. Tunisia Economy Watch: Official data shows May inflation held at 5.5% year-on-year, while food prices climbed 8.2%, driven by higher red meat, poultry, vegetables, fruits and fresh fish costs. Regional Trade Push: Tunisia’s AfCFTA implementation faces hurdles, but a roundtable with the trade minister called for better infrastructure, rule harmonization and financing to boost intra-African trade. Tunisia Supporters & Match Logistics: The Tunisian Football Federation urged fans to follow security rules for the Tunisia–Sweden World Cup match, including early arrival, no umbrellas, no flares, and bans on bottles and political banners.

Solar Momentum: Tunisia’s installed solar capacity has climbed to nearly 860 MW, with about 300 MW of new photovoltaic projects commissioned across Kairouan, Tozeur, Sidi Bouzid and Medenine—renewables now make up 9% of electricity generation. Water & Food Pressure: Tunisia’s inflation held at 5.5% in May, but food prices jumped 8.2% year-on-year, driven by higher red meat, poultry, vegetables, fruits and fresh fish costs amid weather-hit supply and rising production/transport expenses. Trade for Growth: Tunisia’s economic operators urged faster AfCFTA implementation—better infrastructure, harmonized rules, modernized foreign-exchange regulations and financing—to turn the agreement into real regional integration. Biodiversity at Sea: Divers in the Sicily–Tunisia channel filmed an adult great white underwater for the first time in the Mediterranean, highlighting the species’ critical status and the role of removing ghost nets. Climate Stress in MENA: A new report warns drought, heat and weak services are pushing Tunisia and the wider region into harsher “adapt or move” dilemmas, with water at the center of the crisis. Governance & Prices: In Sousse, authorities reported 1,776 economic violations after 7,950 inspections, targeting hoarding, pricing irregularities and breaches tied to subsidized products ahead of summer. World Cup Logistics (Local): The Tunisian Football Federation told supporters for Tunisia–Sweden in Monterrey to follow security rules, arrive early, expect possible rain (no umbrellas), and avoid flares, bottles and political banners.

Climate & Water Security: A new report warns climate stress is tightening across MENA, with water scarcity, conflict and weak services pushing families into “adapt, move or remain” traps—droughts hitting Morocco, Algeria and Tunisia and flash floods straining Gulf drainage and emergency systems. Tunisia Inflation Watch: Tunisia’s annual inflation held at 5.5% in May 2026, but food prices kept climbing (+8.2% y/y), driven by red meat, poultry, vegetables, fruits and fresh fish as weather disrupts supply and raises production/transport costs. Sousse Market Enforcement: Sousse recorded 1,776 economic violations from 7,950 inspections, targeting pricing irregularities, hoarding, lack of transaction transparency and breaches tied to subsidised goods—alongside summer and tourist-season food safety and cleanliness priorities. Agri-Tech for Resilience: Tunisia’s APIA brought 20 startups and 200 agri operators together to link technology with farmers, focusing on agri-tech, soil health, environmental tech, animal feed/health and aquaculture—aiming to support resilient, sustainable production under climate and water pressures. Biodiversity Initiative: Green4Value is highlighted for biodiversity work in Tunisia’s arboretums. Governance & Rights: A French-Tunisian journalist, Mourad Zghidi, remains on hunger strike in detention as his lawyers warn his health is “extremely serious,” underscoring ongoing concerns about press freedom and justice in Tunisia.

Tunisia–AfCFTA Talks: Tunisia’s Foreign Affairs minister Mohamed Ali Nafti met AfCFTA Secretary-General Wamkele Mene to review progress on the African Continental Free Trade Area and future Tunisia–AfCFTA cooperation, with Nafti stressing Tunisia’s early commitment to the deal and its role in supporting Africa’s Agenda 2063. Water & Public Programmes: Tunisia’s government held small cabinet meetings focused on accelerating public programmes and projects, including measures to secure drinking water supplies and strengthen the water system. Biodiversity in Tunisia: The Green4Value project is pushing biodiversity protection in Tunisia’s arboretums, aiming to boost conservation through local environmental work. Marine Life in the Mediterranean: Rare footage shows a great white shark encountered during ghost-net removal between Sicily and Tunisia, highlighting ongoing risks from abandoned fishing gear and the need for better marine protection. World Cup Heat & Logistics (Context): With World Cup 2026 starting, coverage flags climate-driven heat risks for players and the massive logistics behind hosting matches across the three host countries.

Water Governance in Tunisia: Prime Minister Sarra Zaafrani Zenzri chaired a small Cabinet meeting focused on the water system, stressing reforms to protect the constitutional right to drinking water, maintain facilities year-round, and diversify non-conventional water sources amid climate pressures. Youth Drug Prevention: Tunisia’s Ministry of Health launched a national project to support young people aged 10–25, building life skills and healthy behaviours with UNODC and Swiss Embassy support to prevent drug and psychotropic substance use. Marine Life Protection (Tunisia in the spotlight): A U.S. lawsuit targets seafood imports from fisheries in eight countries including Tunisia, arguing regulators fail to enforce limits on whale and dolphin bycatch under the Marine Mammal Protection Act. World Cup & Environment-adjacent debate: Coverage around the 2026 tournament highlights broader concerns about fairness, access, and impacts—while Tunisia’s own World Cup-related items include the national water and youth-health priorities running in parallel. Biodiversity/Sea safety: New footage of a rare great white shark encounter in the Mediterranean (between Sicily and Tunisia) renews attention on marine debris and “ghost nets” that can trap wildlife.

Water Governance: Tunisia’s Prime Minister chaired a small Cabinet meeting focused on the water system, stressing reforms to protect the constitutional right to drinking water, strengthen water sovereignty and food security, and keep supplies steady year-round by maintaining facilities and diversifying non-conventional water sources. Youth & Drug Prevention: The Health Ministry launched a national project to support youth integration and prevent drug and psychotropic substance use, targeting ages 10–25 with life-skills training and support for families, schools and careers. Biodiversity in Arboretums: The EU-backed Green4Value project was officially launched to improve management, conservation and valorization of biodiversity in Tunisia’s arboretums, linking ecological protection with research and socio-economic development. Press Freedom Under Pressure: Tunisian journalist Khaoula Boukrim was sentenced to four years in prison in absentia under the cybercrime law, renewing concerns from rights groups about shrinking space for free expression. Environment at Sea: Rare footage from a ghost-diver in the Mediterranean captured a great white shark near the Sicily–Tunisia area, highlighting both marine life and the risks posed by lost fishing nets.

Water Governance in Tunisia: Prime Minister Sarra Zaâfrani Zenzri chaired a restricted cabinet meeting focused on the water system, stressing governance and reform to secure the constitutional right to drinking water, protect water wealth, and prevent sudden cuts—while work continues on new legislation and maintenance of hydraulic infrastructure. Tunisia Press Freedom: Tunisian journalist Khaoula Boukrim was sentenced to four years in prison in absentia under the cybercrime law, renewing concerns from rights groups about shrinking space for free expression. Mediterranean Marine Life: Volunteer “ghost diving” teams captured rare underwater footage of an adult great white shark between Sicily and Tunisia during ghost-net removal, highlighting how abandoned fishing gear threatens marine life and why biodiversity protection matters. World Cup Heat & Travel Context: Coverage around the 2026 World Cup keeps flagging climate-driven heat risks and travel/visa friction affecting teams and media—issues that intersect with Tunisia’s own World Cup match schedule and regional attention.

Water Security in Tunisia: Tunisia’s Prime Minister chaired a restricted ministerial council focused on the national water system, stressing water sovereignty, food security and the constitutional right to drinking water, with measures to maintain hydraulic infrastructure and diversify supply sources. Water Governance: The meeting also highlighted new legislation to improve management, preservation and protection of water resources, aiming to prevent service disruptions across all regions. Marine Life & Biodiversity: Volunteer divers working to remove abandoned fishing nets near a shipwreck between Sicily and Tunisia captured what experts call the first underwater footage of an adult great white shark in the Mediterranean, with scientists noting the value for understanding a critically endangered species and the need to protect marine habitats from ghost gear. Climate Pressure on Sports: A climate analysis warns that global warming is raising the odds of performance-impairing heat in 97 of 104 World Cup matches, including Tunisia-related fixtures. World Cup Hydration Rules: FIFA reversed its earlier ban on reusable water bottles, allowing fans to bring one factory-sealed disposable bottle into matches in the US and Canada.

Marine Conservation & Wildlife: Volunteer divers working to remove “ghost nets” from a shipwreck in the Strait of Sicily (between Sicily and Tunisia) captured what experts call the first underwater footage of an adult great white shark in the Mediterranean. The shark circled the team, appeared calm and curious, and then swam away; researchers say direct sightings help fill gaps left by past records based mostly on dead sharks caught in fishing gear. Climate & Sports Risk: A climate analysis says human-caused warming is raising the odds of performance-impairing heat for 97 of 104 World Cup matches, including a Tunisia-related match in Monterrey. Tunisia Public Works: A small cabinet meeting in Tunis focused on speeding up the implementation of public programmes and projects, stressing better technical, land, economic, social and environmental assessments before execution. Tunisia Environment & Industry: A report on Gabès raises questions about appointing one CEO to oversee both Gafsa Phosphate Company and the Tunisian Chemical Group, with calls for a clear strategy for better exploitation of phosphate resources. Tunisia Energy (Regional): An Arab Energy Organisation report shows renewable capacity in AEO member states jumped about 36% in 2025, with Tunisia adding a smaller share.

Marine Wildlife & Pollution: Divers removing abandoned “ghost nets” from a shipwreck in the Strait of Sicily (between Italy and Tunisia) captured what experts believe is the first underwater footage of an adult great white shark in the Mediterranean, a critically endangered species rarely seen below the surface—highlighting both the value of marine conservation and the risks posed by derelict fishing gear. Climate & Health: A new analysis warns climate change is raising the odds of performance-impairing heat at 97 of 104 World Cup matches, including a high risk for Tunisia’s group game in Monterrey—fueling calls for stronger heat protection for players and fans. Tunisia Governance: Tunisia’s small cabinet meeting in Kasbah focused on speeding up public programme delivery, stressing earlier project assessment of technical, land, economic, social and environmental factors to avoid execution delays. Energy Transition (Regional): Arab renewable capacity rose about 36% in 2025 to 39.2 GW, with solar dominating; Tunisia added around 0.1 GW, showing slow but present momentum. Environment-linked Economy: PhosCo says drilling at its Gasaat phosphate project in Tunisia intersected wide phosphate zones, supporting plans to grow fertilizer supply.

Marine Conservation in the Mediterranean: Volunteer divers clearing “ghost nets” from a shipwreck between Sicily and Tunisia captured what experts believe is the first underwater video of an adult great white shark in the Mediterranean, highlighting how abandoned fishing gear and overfishing threaten biodiversity. Renewables in the Arab World: A new Arab Energy Organisation report says renewable capacity in AEO member states jumped about 35.9% in 2025 to roughly 39.2 GW, with solar making up 72.3%; Tunisia added about 0.1 GW. Tunisia Trade Enforcement: In Tunis governorate, economic control services logged 3,173 violations in the first five months of 2026 after 14,300 field inspections, targeting price hikes, missing invoices, and subsidy-related diversion. Weather Watch (Tunisia): Sunday looks partly cloudy with afternoon thunderstorms and rain over western highlands; temperatures range 28–32°C on coasts and mountains, up to 43°C in the far south with possible sirocco winds.

Water Security in Tunisia: Development and water resources expert Houcine Rhili warns Tunisia could face a difficult summer for drinking water supply, noting dam filling is around 60% but shortages persist due to logistics, pumping stations, well maintenance, and underinvestment in distribution networks by SONEDE. Heat and Storms: Tunisia’s weather outlook points to very hot conditions this weekend, with coastal highs around 32–35°C and inland up to 42°C, plus localized thunderstorms and possible sandstorms in some regions. Biodiversity & Wetlands: Lake Ichkeul is highlighted for a major ecological shift as greater flamingos nest there for the first time, signaling changing habitat conditions. Digital Connectivity: ViaTunisia’s subsea cable segment between Marseille and Bizerte reached ready-for-service status, aiming to boost secure, high-capacity connectivity between Europe and North Africa and improve resilience in disaster-prone areas. Olive Climate Benefits: On World Environment Day, new figures spotlight olive trees’ role in climate action, including estimates that producing one litre of olive oil can remove about 10.65 kg of CO2. Governance & Peacekeeping: Tunisia’s Master Sergeant Seifeddine Hamrita received the UN Dag Hammarskjöld Medal posthumously for his service with MINUSCA.

Water Security in Tunisia: Development and water resources expert Houcine Rhili warns Tunisia’s drinking water supply could be strained this summer, even with dam filling around 60%, pointing to persistent winter cuts linked to logistics, pumping stations, well maintenance, and investment gaps at SONEDE. Heat & Storm Outlook: Tunisia’s weather service flags very hot conditions (up to 42°C inland) and, for Sunday, partly cloudy skies with afternoon thunderstorms in western highlands, plus strong east winds and possible sand whirlwinds in the south. Climate Risk for Sports: A report on the 2026 World Cup highlights climate change’s growing role in extreme heat and humidity, with some matches in open-air venues facing dangerous heat stress—an issue that could hit Tunisia’s squad in its group games. Digital Connectivity Boost: The ViaTunisia subsea cable segment between Marseille and Bizerte reached ready-for-service status, aiming to improve high-capacity, more resilient connectivity between Europe and North Africa. Environment & Carbon Benefits: On World Environment Day, coverage spotlights olive trees’ climate value, citing figures on CO2 absorption and the potential carbon impact of olive oil production. Local Governance & Compliance: In Tunis, economic control services recorded 3,173 violations in the first five months of 2026, targeting price hikes, missing invoices, and breaches tied to subsidised products.