Minister,
Ladies and gentlemen,
I am pleased to be with you today to sign, on behalf of the United States government, this important $9.5 million, 22 month agreement that will provide Mauritania with important data on groundwater resources, in the northern regions of the country. This ceremony gives me the opportunity to reflect: the desert is never what it seems. Often considered scorching and desolate, it is dynamic and its resources can contribute substantially to the development of Mauritania. Indeed that is what we hope to contribute to today with the signing of this agreement.
Minister,
This partnership that you managed to build with the United States Geological Survey, or USGS, is significant. A flagship agency of the United States government, the USGS is the largest agency in the U.S. Government and is responsible for water, land, biological science and civil mapping. It is known throughout the world for its operational know-how. I am honored to sign this agreement on behalf of the USGS.
Minister,
Ladies and gentlemen,
The agreement we are signing will allow the USGS, in close collaboration with the Ministry of Water and Sanitation, to cover five components: (1) Deploy remote sensing tools to identify areas where aquifers could be found, (2) Carry out a hydrogeological assessment of the northern zones of Tiris-Zemmour, Adrar, and Tagant, (3) Undertake an economic assessment of the development and sustainable use of groundwater, (4) Produce recommendations on the monitoring of the groundwater network, to allow decision-making based on scientific elements relating to the sustainability of the resource, and (5) Carry out capacity building and technology transfer. This will allow the scientific community, made up of Mauritanian engineers and technicians, well trained in hydrology, to assess, develop, and manage Mauritanian water resources in a sustainable and independent manner for the good of the Mauritanian people.
Minister,
Ladies and gentlemen,
What we are undertaking today is an important step in Mauritania’s forward march. Indeed, the rational management of water resources is a factor without which no socio-economic development is possible. It will contribute to ensuring stability and prosperity for Mauritania through a definite impact on areas as vital as food security, agriculture and mining, among others. And it also represents yet another component of our already strong bilateral cooperation with Mauritania.
Thank you.
