UN-Habitat Tunisia, Banque de Tunisie et des Émirats (BTE), and Kerkennah Municipality Sign Agreement to Promote Sustainable Development in Kerkennah
A New Partnership to Foster Sustainable Development in Kerkennah
In a significant step towards promoting sustainable development in Kerkennah, UN-Habitat Tunisia, Banque de Tunisie et des Émirats (BTE), and Kerkennah Municipality have signed a partnership agreement to consolidate their cooperation and work towards a common goal: promoting a sustainable, inclusive, and resilient territorial development in Kerkennah.
Building on Joint Efforts
This partnership is part of the ongoing efforts to support Kerkennah Municipality in implementing concrete actions to address the climate and socio-economic challenges facing the territory, including the development of local sustainable infrastructure, capacity building for local actors, and the promotion of environmentally and socially impactful initiatives.
Supporting Innovative Initiatives
The partnership aims to support the planning and implementation of innovative initiatives co-constructed with local stakeholders, such as the creation of sustainable and inclusive public spaces, like the educational, sports, and ecological park project, which will contribute to better adapting to climate change and integrated local development.
Strengthening Synergies
The signing of this agreement marks an important step in strengthening synergies between public institutions, the private sector, and local communities. This multi-stakeholder engagement aligns with national priorities and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly SDG 11 on sustainable cities and communities.
Addressing Climate Change Impacts
Kerkennah Archipelago is particularly vulnerable to the effects of climate change, including sea level rise and ecosystem degradation, which have significant impacts on the living conditions of its inhabitants and local economic activities. A concerted action is necessary to strengthen the territory's resilience and preserve its resources.
UN-Habitat's Mandate
UN-Habitat works to promote socially and environmentally sustainable cities and human settlements, including through support for urban planning, climate risk management, and the implementation of the UN-Habitat Programme. In this agreement, UN-Habitat is fulfilling its mandate to cooperate with member states and local authorities, as well as to follow up on the 2030 Agenda and the New Urban Agenda, by accompanying territorial development initiatives.
BTE's Commitment
Banque de Tunisie et des Émirats (BTE) has committed to mobilizing its resources and expertise to financially support initiatives arising from this partnership, in line with its role as an economic actor contributing to sustainable development and promoting responsible investments. This 4th intervention by BTE in Kerkennah focuses on the total sponsorship of the creation of an educational, sports, and ecological park in Kerkennah, where people with special needs will have a privileged place, alongside several other important components.
Municipalité de Kerkennah's Mission
The Kerkennah Municipality is responsible for managing local affairs and promoting territorial development. In the framework of this agreement, it has committed to technically implementing the project, valuing local natural and cultural resources, and improving the living conditions of inhabitants, in collaboration with partners.
A Participatory Approach
The adopted approach relies on a strong mobilization of local actors and participatory governance, promoting the inclusion of the most vulnerable groups, including women, young people, and communities dependent on natural resources. Together, the partners aim to make Kerkennah a model of territorial resilience and sustainable innovation at the national and Mediterranean levels.
