Facing Climate Emergencies, Economic Fractures, and Social Challenges, Tunisia Imposes itself as a Determined Voice at the UN for Sustainable Development that Translates into Action
Beyond speeches and promises, the country calls for transforming international ambitions into concrete, innovative, and adapted initiatives for developing countries.
The Press — In New York, on the sidelines of the 80th session of the United Nations General Assembly, Foreign Minister Mohamed Ali Nafti recalled the urgency of accelerating the implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) by 2030.
He emphasized the crucial role of financing mechanisms, technology transfer, and South-South cooperation in enabling developing countries to achieve these goals. However, beyond this plea, a question arises: how to transform these global ambitions into concrete solutions adapted to the realities of developing countries like Tunisia?
Rethinking Financing: From "Loans" to "Patient Investment"
One of the current weaknesses of the international architecture is the excessive dependence on traditional loans. Tunisia, like many other nations, has consistently advocated for innovation in financial mechanisms. One approach to explore is the establishment of patient investments, where donors support projects over the long term without requiring immediate profitability. This type of approach, already experimented with in some African countries, could promote the development of green projects in solar energy, sustainable agriculture, or the circular economy.
Creating "Shared Regional Laboratories"
Another innovative approach for Tunisia would be the creation of shared regional laboratories, bringing together researchers, engineers, and startups from the South. These platforms would not only allow for the sharing of resources but also the co-development of technologies tailored to local realities — for example, irrigation systems adapted to water scarcity or low-cost energy storage solutions.
Sharing Successes and Failures
South-South cooperation should not be limited to institutional exchanges. An interesting idea would be to create a pan-African network of sustainable cities, where each city shares its successes in mobility, waste management, or energy efficiency. This type of pragmatic platform would enable Southern countries to capitalize on their own experiences without waiting for models from the North.
Sustainable Development as a Societal Project
Finally, sustainable development should not be reduced to an economic or technological logic. It could become a genuine societal project, centered around citizen education, the valorization of local knowledge, and a new relationship with the environment. By encouraging local communities to develop and experiment with sustainable initiatives in their cities and villages, we give them a central place in the design of projects, thereby strengthening durability and social adherence.
Building a Hybrid Model, Tunisian-Style
Several countries with constraints similar to those of Tunisia have shown that ambitious sustainable development is possible. Morocco, for example, has established itself as an African leader in renewable energies thanks to large-scale solar and wind projects.
Jordan, faced with extreme water scarcity, has innovated in recycling and integrated water resource management. Costa Rica has built its international image on a nearly total transition to renewable energy and ecotourism, while Rwanda has distinguished itself through voluntary ecological governance, ranging from plastic bans to sustainable urban policies.
For our country, the lesson is clear: it's not about copying a single model, but creating a hybrid one. Betting on solar and wind energy in the Moroccan style, adopting a meticulous water management approach inspired by Jordan, developing green tourism in the image of Costa Rica, and establishing strict environmental rules like Rwanda would allow Tunisia to forge its own path towards sustainable development, credible and adapted to its realities.
A Call to Transform Discourse into Action
Tunisia's call in New York is part of a global dynamic, but it takes on a particular resonance in a country seeking a new development model. Tunisia can no longer be content with slogans or incomplete strategies; it needs visible actions, projects that speak to citizens, and restore confidence in the future.
Transforming words into concrete, adapted, and bold initiatives means, for example, seeing solar roofs emerge in popular neighborhoods, intelligent irrigation systems in the countryside, and cities that breathe better thanks to rigorous waste management. It means making sustainable development not a constraint imposed from the outside, but a lever of national pride and collective emancipation.
For Tunisia, it's not just about achieving goals set for 2030; it's about regaining its capacity to innovate, unite, and transform its fragilities into assets. Sustainable development can no longer wait; it must become, starting today, a driver of innovation, solidarity, and sovereignty. A shared project that gives each Tunisian the feeling of contributing to building a future worthy of their aspirations.
