Tunisia Ratifies Strategic Convention for the Management of Shared Water Resources of the Northern Sahara Aquifer System (SASS) with Algeria and Libya
Tunisia has ratified a strategic convention for the management of shared water resources of the Northern Sahara Aquifer System (SASS) with Algeria and Libya. Officialized by Decree No. 23 of 2025, this move reinforces regional cooperation in the sustainable management of water resources.
Published in the Official Journal of the Tunisian Republic (JORT) on January 11, 2025, this convention is based on two main articles: the ratification of the agreement signed on April 24, 2024, in Algiers, and its official publication in the JORT. This agreement, discussed during a tripartite meeting between the Ministers of Agriculture of the three countries, establishes a consultation mechanism for the joint exploitation of the SASS groundwater.
The SASS, covering an area of one million square kilometers, consists of two main layers: the Continental Intercalary (CI) and the Terminal Complex (CT). Although these aquifers are rich, they have a low renewal rate, making rigorous management essential to prevent their depletion.
During a tripartite summit held on April 22, 2024, in Tunis, the leaders of the three countries decided to create a mixed working group and accelerate the activation of the common mechanism for managing these shared resources.
This partnership marks a key step towards sustainable and coordinated exploitation of the aquifer, highlighting the importance of preserving this vital resource for future generations in the face of growing water challenges.
