- The new partnership is aimed at creating quality jobs and boosting resilience to climate change.
- The strategy aims at improved resilience to climate change and reduced carbon emissions.
- Agreement will enhance the resilience and competitiveness of the private sector to create jobs.
The World Bank Group has announced a new five-year Country Partnership Framework (CPF) with Tunisia that supports the government’s development plan to expand the economy and tackle climate change. The new partnership aims at creating quality jobs, and boosting resilience to climate change.
The strategy was discussed with the World Bank Group’s Board of Directors and provides direction for the Bank Group to continue playing its role as a long-term partner of the country and its people.
Tunisia Vision 2035
“This new strategy provides the basis for the World Bank and Tunisia to accelerate programs to help unleash the country’s economic potential and foster a better future for its people,” the World Bank Vice President for the Middle East and North Africa Region Ferid Belhaj said.
“The impact of multiple global crises has hit the country hard, but Tunisia has shown resilience,” he added.
The new CPF builds on Tunisia’s 2023-25 development plan, and the Tunisia Vision 2035 plan. It also builds on the World Bank’s Systematic Country Diagnostic and its forthcoming Country Climate and Development Report for Tunisia.
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“The Country Partnership Framework for 2023-27 between Tunisia and the World Bank Group is a milestone in our collaborative efforts to foster inclusive and sustainable growth,” Tunisian Economy and Planning Minister Samir Saied said.
“Through this partnership, we aim to advance social welfare, education, health, innovation, and green growth while reducing disparities and fostering social inclusion,” he added.
The CPF contains three high-level outcomes: quality jobs created by the private sector; strengthened human capital; and improved resilience to climate change and reduced carbon emissions.
Migration as driver of opportunity
It also aims to integrate two cross-cutting themes: gender and accountability, participation, and trust across programs.
The CPF also places a spotlight on migration as a driver of opportunity for the country.
“In line with extensive consultations with the government, private sector, civil society, and development partners, the CPF demonstrates our commitment to Tunisia’s inclusive and sustainable growth trajectory,” World Bank country manager for Tunisia Alexandre Arrobbio said.
“While the CPF supports sustainable, medium-term, high-level outcomes, it also addresses short-term priorities including direct support to families hit hardest by crises, small and medium-sized enterprises’ access to finance, and renewable energy production,” he added.
Support business climate reforms
The CPF will be implemented jointly by the World Bank, the IFC, and the Multilateral Investment Guarantee Agency (MIGA). It will have an annual allocation over five years of around $400-$500 million and investments from the IFC and guarantees from MIGA.
“Our aim is to enhance the resilience and competitiveness of the private sector to create jobs, provide investment opportunities and to support the government’s reforms to improve the business climate,” IFC’s Director for North Africa and the Horn of Africa Cheick-Oumar Sylla said.
Compliance with the World Bank Group’s environmental and social requirements will remain at the heart of the CPF’s implementation.
Tunisia’s changing climate patterns
Like many other nations, Tunisia is struggling with the effects of climate change. The ecology, economics, and society of the nation are all impacted in different ways by the country’s changing climate patterns.
Over the past few decades, temperatures in Tunisia have been rising. There are threats to human health, agriculture, and water resources as a result of the increasing frequency of heatwaves.
Changes in rainfall patterns and higher rates of evaporation add to the country’s already acute water shortage. This is affecting agriculture, as well as home and industrial water supplies.
Tunisia at risk from rising sea level
Due to Tunisia’s extensive coastline, infrastructure, human habitations, and coastal ecosystems are all at risk from sea level rise. Rising sea levels pose dangers include increased coastal erosion and saltwater intrusion into freshwater supplies.
Overall, climate crisis is impacting an extensive biodiversity across Tunisia. Climate change, which impacts plant and animal species, is disrupting ecosystems and habitats. Ecological imbalances can have an influence on agriculture, fishing, and tourism, and some species may go extinct.
Tunisia’s agriculture, tourism, energy, and health industries are grappling with climate change. Due to temperature stress and water scarcity, crop yields may decrease, and sea level rise could harm coastal tourism. Extreme weather conditions can also result in infrastructure damage and health dangers.
