Tunisian-Japanese Environmental Cooperation: A Model of Sustainable Development
The Minister of Environment, Habib Obeid, conducted a series of field visits from October 20 to 24 to monitor Tunisian-Japanese cooperation projects in the environmental field. Accompanied by the Governor of Béja, Ahmed Ben Kharrat, the Japanese Ambassador to Tunisia, Takeshi Osuga, and the Resident Representative of the Japanese International Cooperation Agency (JICA), Miyata Mayumi, the Minister visited the Béja governorate before touring the Japanese Garden of Tunis, in the presence of the Governor of Tunis, Imed Boukhris, JICA representatives, and the Municipality of Tunis. The visit concluded with a meeting with the Tunisian team that will represent Tunisia at the SPOGOMI World Cup, an international waste collection competition scheduled to take place in Japan on October 29, 2025, with the participation of 33 countries.
Key Areas of Cooperation
This exemplary cooperation between Tunisia and Japan encompasses several areas:
- Wastewater Treatment and Purification: Upgrade and extension works are underway in the governorates of Béja, Jendouba, Siliana, Le Kef, Bizerte, Zaghouan, Sidi Bouzid, Kasserine, Kébili, and Sfax. These projects cover 300 km of pipelines, 35 municipalities, and 31 pumping stations. The wastewater treatment plants in Siliana, Majaz El Bab, and Jendouba have already been completed, while work continues in Tabarka. A call for tenders will soon be launched for the rehabilitation of the Gabès wastewater treatment plant.
- Waste Management and Valorization: Tunisia is currently experimenting with Japanese waste valorization technologies through pilot stations installed in Sousse, Djerba, and Béja. The Oued Laya (Sousse) station is already producing electricity from waste recycling.
- Energy Transition and Climate: As part of the bilateral agreement on climate change, Japan has supported the establishment of solar power plants in the governorates of Sidi Bouzid and Kairouan.
A Shared Commitment to Sustainable Development
This cooperation demonstrates the shared commitment of both countries to sustainable development, environmental preservation, and the promotion of clean energy.
