Mauritanian president returns from COP29 summit in Baku

Mauritania’s President and current Chair of the African Union, Mohamed Ould Cheikh Ghazouani, returned to Nouakchott on Wednesday night following his participation in the 29th session of the United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP29) held in Baku, Azerbaijan.

Upon his arrival at Nouakchott International Airport, President Ghazouani was welcomed by Prime Minister Mokhtar Ould Ajay, along with a number of senior officials, including Secretary-General of the Presidency Moulay Ould Mohamed Lagdhaf, and Ministerial Advisors Mohamed Ould Abdallah Ould Othman and Aishata Ba Yahya.

Also present were the Minister of Justice, Mohamed Mahmoud Ould Cheikh Abdallah Ben Bayyah, Foreign Minister Mohamed Salem Ould Marzouk, Defense Minister Hanen Ould Sidi, Interior Minister Mohamed Ahmed Ould Mohamed El Amin, and the Commander of the Special Presidential Staff, General Islekou Ould Cheikh El Oulli.

Other dignitaries in attendance included Deputy Cabinet Director Gandega Fatimata, Governor of Nouakchott West Amerbeh Rabou Ould Bounen Ould Abidine, and President of the Nouakchott Region Fatima Bint Abdel Malek.

President Ghazouani was accompanied by an official delegation that included First Lady Maryam Bint Al-Dah; Minister in charge of the Presidency, Al-Nani Ould Achrouqa; Minister of Energy and Petroleum, Mohamed Ould Khaled; Minister of Environment and Sustainable Development, Masouda Bint Baham Ould Mohamed Laghdaf; and Mauritania’s Ambassador to Azerbaijan, Cheikh Sayed Ahmed Al-Bakai Ould Hamadi, who resides in Turkey.

Presidential advisors Ahmed Ould Abah, Tal Othman, and Mahfouz Ould Ibrahim, along with State Protocol Director-General Al-Hassan Ould Ahmed, were also part of the delegation.

President Ghazouani’s participation at COP29 underscored Mauritania’s commitment to addressing climate change challenges and supporting international efforts to mitigate its impacts.