MAS ELECTRONIC NEWS

Dr. Ayman Swidan, a member of the Board of Directors of MAS for Human Rights and Environment – Italy, has officially signed a comprehensive Strategic Cooperation Program with the Ministry of Environment and Sustainable Development of the Islamic Republic of Mauritania, marking the beginning of a long-term institutional partnership aimed at strengthening environmental protection, climate action, and sustainable development efforts.

This three-year program, renewable upon mutual agreement, establishes a structured framework for technical and institutional cooperation. It is designed to provide direct support to the Ministry without imposing significant financial burdens, leveraging the Association’s extensive network of international experts, European engineering offices, environmental project implementation companies, and international funding partners.

Key Areas of Cooperation

The program is structured around six integrated strategic pillars:

• Combating Desertification and Land Restoration through afforestation projects using drought-resistant      local species and sustainable land rehabilitation techniques.
• Climate Change and Renewable Energy via pilot solar and wind energy projects, climate      reporting support, and early warning systems for environmental risks.
• Waste Management and Green Economy by introducing integrated waste sorting, recycling,      and valorization models, alongside income-generating green initiatives.
• Coastal Protection and Biodiversity Conservation, including shoreline protection, support for protected      areas, and environmental monitoring using modern technologies.
• Capacity Building and Training for national technical staff through workshops, local      programs, and training exchanges with European partner institutions.
• Women’s Empowerment in Environmental Development (Urban      and Rural) as a cross-cutting priority,      strengthening women’s leadership in environmental management and green      entrepreneurship.

Financial Advantage and Added Value

The Mass Association for Human Rights and Environment commits to covering the equivalent of 5% of each agreed project’s cost in the form of technical expertise, studies, design, and supervision services. In addition, participating European implementation companies will provide a 5% discount on project values as a direct environmental contribution in the host country.

Expected Outcomes

This strategic cooperation is expected to:

• Accelerate the implementation of priority environmental      projects.
• Reduce overall project costs.
• Enhance national technical capacity.
• Strengthen Mauritania’s international profile as a      credible partner in environmental and climate initiatives.

Dr. Ayman Swidan emphasized that this partnership represents a practical model of international cooperation built on knowledge transfer, shared responsibility, and long-term sustainability. The Association reaffirms its full commitment to supporting the Ministry throughout the duration of the program and to mobilizing international partners and funding to ensure lasting environmental and institutional impact.

This agreement marks a significant step toward building a resilient and sustainable environmental system that supports national development priorities while protecting natural resources for future generations. 

Her Excellency Mrs. Masouda Baham Laghzaf, Minister of Environment and Sustainable Development of the Islamic Republic of Mauritania, received a delegation of the rganization headed by Dr. Ayman Swidan, a member of the Association and Chairman of the Committee for Environmental Protection, Development, and Livestock Programs in the Maghreb Arab States, and Eng. Ibrahim Tahoun, a member of the Organization for Public Relations in the Maghreb Arab States, at the Ministry’s headquarters in the capital, Nouakchott, in the presence of a number of senior officials. The meeting discussed the efforts of the Mauritanian Ministry of Environment to promote sustainable environmental development, and reviewed areas of joint cooperation in the fields of environmental protection, adaptation to climate change, and support for environmental projects that serve the sustainable development goals in Mauritania. Ways to enhance international partnerships to secure technical and financial funding for vital environmental initiatives were also explored. The representative of the Organization expressed the Organization’s readiness to provide specialized technical cadres and expertise in the fields of environmental protection, in addition to assisting in applying for financial grants from the European Union and the European Commission for the benefit of the Ministry of Environment in the Islamic Republic of Mauritania, within the framework of supporting sustainable environmental development projects in accordance with the best international standards. The delegation also affirmed the Organization’s keenness to strengthen cooperation with the Ministry in future joint projects, with the aim of achieving positive environmental, social, and economic impacts that are consistent with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals. At the conclusion of the meeting, Mr. Ayman Swidan, a member of the Organization, presented a Certificate of Appreciation to Her Excellency Mrs. Masouda Baham Laghzaf, in recognition of her exceptional efforts in the environmental approach, strengthening international cooperation, and supporting the path of sustainable environmental development in Mauritania.

International Conference on Environmental Biotechnology and Sustainable Solutions (ICEBSS)

12 January 2026 | Vienna, Austria

Within the framework of international collaborative efforts to advance environmental action and support the transition toward a green economy, a high-level meeting was convened on the sidelines of the International Conference on Environmental Biotechnology and Sustainable Solutions (ICEBSS). The meeting brought together Eng. Ashraf Mohamed, President of MAS Association, with a distinguished group of international experts specializing in environmental protection and sustainable development, including:

• Mr. Jonathan Robert Thompson – Senior Environmental Policy Advisor
• Dr. William Michael Anderson – Professor of Environmental Biotechnology & Climate Change
• Expert Charlotte William Fletcher – Environmental Consultant & Carbon Reduction Specialist
• Dr. Maria Elisabetta Romano – International Expert in Sustainable Development & Circular Economy

Key Discussion Themes

The meeting addressed several priority issues related to environmental protection and sustainable development, with particular focus on Green Carbon Factory initiatives and their strategic role in reducing harmful emissions, restoring environmental balance, and contributing effectively to climate change mitigation at both regional and international levels.

Participants explored opportunities for collaborative action to support innovative environmental initiatives, while reviewing advanced scientific technologies and practical solutions aimed at reducing carbon footprints, improving the efficiency of natural resource utilization, and promoting environmentally responsible industrial production models. Successful case studies of Green Carbon Factory projects were also presented, demonstrating their positive impact on local economic development, sustainable job creation, and long-term environmental value.

Institutional Cooperation and Regional Support

The discussions further emphasized the importance of supporting the Ministries of Environment in the Islamic Republic of Mauritania and the State of Libya, highlighting the need to strengthen institutional partnerships, facilitate the exchange of technical and scientific expertise, and enhance national capacities in environmental technologies and green economy practices. Participants agreed that such support represents a strategic pathway to enabling relevant authorities to implement effective environmental policies and to develop legislative and regulatory frameworks that encourage responsible investment in green projects.

Community Engagement and Future Actions

Attendees underscored the importance of raising environmental awareness within local communities, strengthening cooperation between the public and private sectors, and fostering environmental innovation in a manner that ensures balanced development and safeguards the rights of future generations. It was also agreed to develop joint action plans, including training and research programs, as well as conducting feasibility studies for future environmental initiatives across the region.

Conclusion and Institutional Mandate

At the conclusion of the meeting, participants expressed their appreciation for the leadership role of MAS Association, under the direction of Eng. Ashraf Mohamed, in convening international expertise within a unified, non-profit framework dedicated to environmental sustainability. The participants reaffirmed their commitment to continued cooperation and coordination in the coming phase to advance environmental protection and accelerate the transition toward a green economy in Mauritania, Libya, and the wider region.

In this context, Eng. Ashraf Mohamed announced that he has formally mandated Dr. Ayman Swidan and Eng. Ibrahim Tahoun to present a set of proposed initiatives and technical recommendations to Her Excellency the Minister of Environment of the Islamic Republic of Mauritania. These proposals will address the pressing challenges of desertification and outline practical, industry-based environmental solutions, with particular emphasis on the role of environmentally responsible and green carbon factories in mitigating environmental degradation and promoting sustainable development.

Mr. Ashraf Mohamed, President of the Association, received a high-level delegation from the GIO Organization for Environment and Culture from the Republic of Bulgaria, comprising
Dr. Ivan Dimitrov 
Dr. Nikola Petrov 
Dr. Stefan Georgiev
Dr. Maria Ivanov 
Dr. Elena Stoyanova

The visit took place within the framework of strengthening international cooperation and exchanging expertise in the fields of environmental protection and sustainable development.During the meeting, an in-depth discussion was held on key contemporary environmental issues, as well as ways to support countries suffering from weak environmental governance. The dialogue focused on improving environmental conditions through the exchange of international expertise, capacity building, and the implementation of development programs based on sustainability principles, with the aim of achieving long-term environmental and developmental impact.Special attention was given to a number of Arab countries, particularly those in the Maghreb region, where mechanisms for joint cooperation were discussed in the areas of environmental protection, the development of environmental management systems, and the promotion of environmental and cultural awareness. These efforts aim to enhance the integration between environmental and cultural dimensions and to support balanced and sustainable development pathways.This visit underscores the growing role of the Association at both regional and international levels, and its commitment to expanding its network of partnerships with European and international institutions concerned with environmental and cultural affairs. Such cooperation seeks to facilitate the transfer of successful experiences and the localization of best practices in the target countries.At the conclusion of the meeting, a Joint Cooperation Agreement was signed addressing environmental issues and the improvement of environmental conditions. In addition, a general framework for future cooperation was established, paving the way for the activation of joint programs and projects in the coming phase, in line with the objectives of sustainable development and in support of structured and effective environmental cooperation.

Official meeting organized by the LAINA

 As part of an official meeting organized by LAINA Association,

Dr. Ayman Swidan met with:

• Mr. Markus Steiner – Swiss Environmental Advisor
• Mr. Lukas Müller – Expert in Sustainability and Environmental Policy
   

The meeting focused on environmental issues and sustainable development, with particular emphasis on supporting the countries of the Maghreb region in strengthening their environmental systems and enhancing international cooperation in the field of environmental protection and sustainability.

During the meeting, Dr. Ayman Swidan delivered a presentation addressing the environmental framework in the Islamic Republic of Mauritania, highlighting current challenges as well as available opportunities to advance environmental policies and achieve a balanced approach between development objectives and the protection of natural resources.

The participants also commended the prominent role played by H.E. Ms. Massouda Laghdaf, Minister of Environment, acknowledging her concrete efforts and effective institutional work in developing the environmental sector through initiatives and programs that have contributed to improving environmental performance and promoting sustainability.