UN Global Compact Network Tunisia Marks 10 Years of Sustainability Leadership with Forum on Climate Action

UN Global Compact Network Tunisia Marks 10 Years of Sustainability Leadership with Forum on Climate Action

The UN Global Compact Network Tunisia hosted a pivotal Forum on Corporate Sustainability and Climate Change on 28 October 2025. Held at the Sheraton Tunis Hotel, the event, themed “CSR: A Lever to Combat Climate Change”, was particularly significant as it served as the venue for the UN Global Compact Tunisia Network to celebrate its 10th anniversary, marking a decade of mobilising responsible business practices in the country.

Mr. Sami Marrouki, President of the UN Global Compact Network Tunisia, opened the event, emphasizing the Network’s growing role as a bridge between the private sector and national sustainability priorities.


The Opening Session featured remarks from:



  • Mr. Sami Marrouki, President, UN Global Compact Network Tunisia
  • Dr. Hervé Lado, Regional Head, UN Global Compact Africa Hub
  • Mr. Khalil Gheriani, Member of the Executive Board, UTICA
  • Mr. Chokri Mezghani, Representative of the Minister of Environment
  • Opening Address by Ms. Afef Chachi Tayari, Chief of Staff, Minister of Industry, Mines and Energy


The forum's agenda was directly aligned with Tunisia's bold national energy vision, which aims to achieve 35% renewable energy by 2030—a significant rise from the current 6%—and to slash the carbon intensity of its vital export economy by 62% by 2035. This transition demands unprecedented collaboration, a fact underscored by the diverse roster of high-level contributors. Against this backdrop, the role of the private sector was underscored as critical. With the African Development Bank noting that climate change could cost the continent 3–5% of its GDP annually, the call for corporate action was urgent and grounded in stark economic reality.


Prominent interventions were delivered by Ms. Malinne Blomberg (African Development Bank), Mr. Nils Pedersen (UN Global Compact Network France), and Mr. Kais Mejri (AFI), alongside CEOs and senior representatives from the UBCI Bank, ETAP and UFI Group.

Throughout the day, a series of panel discussions addressed topics such as CSR practices, climate finance, innovation, and sustainable investment. These sessions featured an impressive range of thought leaders, including Ms. Céline Moyroud (UNDP), Mr. Walid Oueslati (OECD), Dr. Samir Amous (APEX Conseil), Ms. Maya Jerbi (Orange Tunisie), Mr. Seif Derouiche (GIZ), Ms. Ilhem Brini (UN in Tunisia), Mr. Lotfi Msadki (UGPO-CC), and Ms. Raja Fradi (ANME).



The final panel placed a special focus on startups and youth entrepreneurship, highlighting their role as key drivers of sustainable transformation and climate solutions in Tunisia and across the region.

In his address, Mr. Yassine Majdoub, Executive Director of the UN Global Compact Network Tunisia, reflected on the Network’s journey and future aspirations:


“Celebrating our 10th anniversary is not only a moment of pride, it is a renewed call to action. Over the past decade, we have advanced initiatives that strengthen corporate sustainability, foster youth-led innovation, and deepen partnerships at different levels. As we look ahead, our ambition is for the UN Global Compact Network Tunisia to stand as a catalyst of change and collaboration—uniting all actors committed to building a more responsible, resilient, and inclusive future for our country and our continent.”


Dr. Hervé Lado, Regional Head of the UN Global Compact Africa Hub, provided the continental context, emphasizing the opportunity for African businesses. “We celebrate the 10 years of the Global Compact Tunisia Network with the call for climate ambition ahead of the COP30 in Brazil, in an international context marked by doubts and setbacks. However, in Africa, the momentum on climate action has been strong in the past years with the UNGC’s Africa Business Leaders Coalition (ABLC) championing and many African businesses leading and innovating, especially on energy access and transition, waste management and greenhouse emissions reduction. African businesses’ interest in climate action has never been so high and their attendance to our Climate Ambition Accelerator has increased by 35% since 2023.” he remarked.


The forum successfully translated national ambition into a collaborative blueprint. It positioned corporate responsibility as the essential engine for achieving Tunisia’s sustainable future and a model for inclusive climate action across Africa.

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