Algerian Radio
Algeria has officially submitted its Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC) for the year 2026 to the Secretariat of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC). This submission aims to bolster climate action and reduce greenhouse gas emissions, the Minister of Environment and Quality of Life, Mrs. Kaouthar Krikou, announced on Monday in Algiers.
The announcement was made during an information day organized by the Ministry under the theme: "Nationally Determined Contribution: Commitment and Adaptation for a Sustainable Environment." The event was attended by Mrs. Baya Bensmail, representing the Minister of State, Minister of Foreign Affairs, National Community Abroad, and African Affairs, and Mrs. Savina Claudia Ammassari, the UN Resident Coordinator in Algeria, alongside representatives of various UN agencies accredited in the country.
The NDC serves as a vital national reference document that outlines Algeria's strategic orientations and goals in climate action. It specifically focuses on reducing greenhouse gas emissions and adapting to the impacts of climate change, in alignment with the UNFCCC and the Paris Agreement.
In her address, Mrs. Krikou reaffirmed Algeria's dedication to fulfilling its international commitments and contributing to global efforts to combat climate change, utilizing an approach that balances environmental protection with national development requirements. She renewed her call for the international community to honor its commitments regarding climate finance, technology transfer, and capacity building. This, she stressed, is essential to enshrining climate justice and ensuring a safe transition toward more sustainable and resilient economies.
The 2026 NDC embodies the country’s firm commitment to climate action through a framework that harmonizes national development needs with mitigation and adaptation goals. The Minister explained that the strategy is anchored in several major projects, notably the implementation of a national energy transition program aiming to produce 15,000 megawatts of renewable energy by 2035. It also prioritizes improving energy efficiency, supporting low-carbon industries, promoting the circular economy, and developing green hydrogen.
Furthermore, through this roadmap, Algeria places special emphasis on adapting to the impacts of climate change. Key measures include combating water stress by expanding dam projects, scaling up seawater desalination, and reusing treated wastewater. The plan also focuses on developing drought-resistant agricultural practices, enhancing infrastructure protection, strengthening climate governance and scientific research, and expanding the involvement of the economic sector, youth, and civil society in achieving climate goals.
Mrs. Krikou highlighted the strategic timing of this submission, noting its special significance as it comes ahead of the 31st Conference of the Parties to the UNFCCC (COP31), scheduled for next November in Antalya, Turkey. At the summit, Algeria will present its vision, commitments, and proposals during climate action negotiations and consultations.
For her part, Mrs. Baya Bensmail affirmed that the NDC reflects the State's strong political will to bolster climate action by adopting a sustainable, low-carbon development model. She underscored the document's immense importance, as it prioritizes adaptation to climate change, particularly in the critical areas of water security, agriculture, and ecosystem protection.
In turn, the UN Resident Coordinator in Algeria, Mrs. Savina Claudia Ammassari, praised the Algerian NDC as a significant step in enhancing the country's climate ambition, reflecting its dedicated efforts in this field. She reaffirmed the UN system's commitment to continuing its support for Algeria, helping translate these climate commitments into tangible policies and investments through close cooperation among all stakeholders.
It is worth noting that Algeria ratified the UNFCCC in 1993. It is one of nearly 200 parties to the convention, which serves as the premier international framework for global cooperation in combating climate change by supporting emissions mitigation and adaptation efforts.
