MGI Secretary-General Discusses Algeria’s Preparations to Chair the Initiative’s Ministerial Council with Algerian Minister of Agriculture

H.E. MGI Secretary-General Eng. Ibrahim Alturki met with H.E. Yacine El-Mahdi Oualid, Algeria’s Minister of Agriculture, Rural Development and Fisheries, to discuss the latest developments within the Initiative, preparations for the third Ministerial Council meeting and the transfer of its chairmanship to Algeria, as well as cooperation on combating desertification and restoring degraded land.

Today, Monday, August 3, 2026, His Excellency Mr. Yacine El-Mahdi Oualid, Minister of Agriculture, Rural Development and Fisheries of the People's Democratic Republic of Algeria, met with His Excellency Eng. Ibrahim Alturki, Secretary-General of the Middle East Green Initiative, at the ministry's headquarters in Algiers.

During the meeting, the Secretary-General expressed his sincere condolences to the families of the victims of the recent forest fires in the country, wishing a speedy recovery to those injured. He also extended his deep gratitude and appreciation to His Excellency the Minister for agreeing to chair the Ministerial Council of the Middle East Green Initiative during its upcoming term in 2027.

The meeting addressed several topics concerning the efforts of regional member countries in the initiative, their sincere dedication to expanding vegetation cover, combating desertification in the region, and collaborating to restore degraded land. Additionally, both sides discussed ongoing developments in establishing the initiative and setting up its General Secretariat in Riyadh, highlighting the support provided by the government of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. The discussions also covered the latest updates and preparations for holding the third meeting of the Ministerial Council, during which the presidency will transition to the People's Democratic Republic of Algeria.

This visit serves to coordinate with the Algerian Minister of Agriculture, Rural Development and Fisheries regarding Algeria's presidency of the upcoming session of the Ministerial Council, deliberate on operational aspects of the initiative, and review Algeria's efforts in combating desertification and rehabilitating degraded land.