Ban Ki-moon, Minister Krikou Inaugurate GGGI Algiers Office as Algeria Deepens Green Growth Agenda and International Climate Cooperation

BY Dr. Hana Saada

ALGIERS — Minister of Environment and Quality of Life Kaouter Krikou, alongside Ban Ki-moon, President of the Assembly and Board of the Global Green Growth Institute (GGGI) and former United Nations Secretary-General, inaugurated on Tuesday the institute’s new office in Algiers, marking a significant step in Algeria’s expanding engagement with global green development frameworks.

The opening ceremony took place in the presence of senior officials from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, including Secretary-General Lounes Magramane, the Resident Representative of the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) in Algeria Natasha Van Rijn, and members of the accredited diplomatic corps.

Ban Ki-moon expressed “deep gratitude” for Algeria’s warm reception and its sustained commitment, under the leadership of President Abdelmadjid Tebboune, to advancing cooperation with the United Nations system and promoting a more sustainable global development trajectory. He praised Algeria’s willingness to align national priorities with multilateral environmental and development agendas, stressing that no state, regardless of its resources or power, can achieve sustainable development in isolation.

The former UN chief underscored that the establishment of the GGGI office in Algiers represents a strategic platform to enhance the Institute’s engagement across Africa, enabling closer technical cooperation on green growth policies, climate resilience, and sustainable economic transformation. He reiterated the importance of consolidating international efforts to achieve inclusive and long-term development outcomes.

Minister Krikou, for her part, highlighted Algeria’s commitment to strengthening its cooperation with international organisations active in environmental protection and sustainable development, noting that the new office will serve as a catalyst for joint initiatives in green economy development, food security, environmental governance, and the expansion of renewable energy and water resource management strategies.

Presentations during the event showcased Algeria’s emerging ecosystem of startups operating in green economy sectors and agricultural technologies, reflecting growing national interest in innovation-driven sustainability models. The delegation also toured the institute’s facilities in Algiers, examining its operational framework and future programmes.

The GGGI office in Algiers is expected to function as a regional hub for cooperation between Algeria and African partners, supporting capacity-building programmes and policy coordination in sustainable development sectors. Officials stressed that the initiative aligns with Algeria’s broader strategy to promote inclusive economic diversification and environmental transition.

Algeria joined the Global Green Growth Institute in mid-2025, in line with presidential directives aimed at strengthening international partnerships in climate action and sustainable development. Founded in 2012 and headquartered in Seoul, the institute focuses on assisting member states in building technical capacity for green growth and environmental sustainability.