Country Flyer 2021 June

Developing Practical Cooperation through MAURITANIA Mauritania is an active partner in the SPS Programme, with one Science ongoing and three completed activities. Leading areas for cooperation

have included Security-related Advanced Technology, Environmental Mauritania has been actively engaged within the framework Security and Disaster Forecast and Prevention of Natural of the NATO Science for Peace Catastrophes. Below are some examples of activities led by scientists and Security (SPS) Programme and experts from Mauritania and NATO countries under the framework of the NATO SPS Programme. since 2007.

The NATO SPS Programme enables Cooperative Activities close collaboration on issues of common interest to enhance the SET-UP OF A NATIONAL OPERATIONAL COORDINATION CENTRE security of NATO and partner nations by facilitating international efforts to In 2012, SPS initiated the set-up of a National Operational Coordination meet emerging security challenges, Centre in Nouakchott in order to improve national responses to supporting NATO-led operations and emergencies by developing regulatory standards and operational missions, and advancing early procedures; enhancing coordination between national, regional and local warning and forecasting for the levels; and strengthening capabilities for analysing risks and threats. prevention of disasters and crises. More broadly, the Centre was designed to support the establishment of The current SPS Key Priorities a national civil emergency planning framework. In 2014, Allies approved include: the second phase of the project, which aimed at completing the Mauritanian Crisis Management System for more effective responses to . Counter-Terrorism; the various risks and threats the country faces. The extension of the . Energy Security; project enhanced . Cyber Defence; . Defence against CBRN Agents; territorial coverage by . Environmental Security; connecting the capital . Security-related Advanced with three regions, and Technology; reaching out to partially . Border and Port Security; isolated areas at risk of . Human and Social Aspects of falling under the Security. influence of terrorist or

Additionally, the SPS Programme extremist organizations. helps to promote regional security The Centre was through scientific cooperation inaugurated in January among partners. The Programme 2015 and will reduce vulnerability to risks and threats associated with also helps to prepare interested terrorist or illicit activity, particularly in isolated areas, through increased eligible nations for NATO coordination between the various national civil protection and membership. SPS activities often emergency response actors. have a high public diplomacy value.

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The crisis management centre established through this SPS flagship project is seen as an example for the wider Sahel region. This project was led by Mauritania and France, with support from Canada. [ref. G4451].

DESERTIFICATION OBSERVATORY FOR CIVIL PROTECTION AND EMERGENCY MEDICAL CARE ENVIRONMENTAL AND SOCIO-ECONOMIC IN MAURITANIA/PROTECTION CIVILE ET MEDECINE SUSTAINABILITY D’URGENCE SANITAIRE EN MAURITANIE (PROMEDEUS) This MYP was launched in 2011. The project aimed to improve access to, and the use of, remote sensing, This ongoing Multi-Year Project (MYP) intends to geographical information systems (GIS) and modelling complement the Mauritanian crisis management technology for climate trends and desertification system for a more effective response to the various assessment and monitoring. A centralised observatory risks and threats that the people, material goods, and on climate trends and desertification was established environment of Mauritania face. The project aims to to enhance knowledge and monitoring of the support the Mauritanian Government’s overall efforts territory, and to manage and implement adaptation to give civil protection services a major role in crisis and mitigation strategies. This project was led by management. The project team will draw on the full experts from Mauritania and Italy. [ref. G3611]. capabilities of the Mauritanian Centre for Crisis Monitoring, Alerts and Management (COVACC), and of the Mauritanian Centre for Public Health SAHARA TRADE WINDS TO HYDROGEN: APPLIED Emergency Operations. The objective is to enhance RESEARCH FOR SUSTAINABLE ENERGY SYSTEMS the operational capabilities of the civil protection service by creating civil protection units in two Initiated in 2007 and completed in 2012, this MYP regions: Brakna (Aleg) and Assaba (Kiffa). The project aimed to develop research platforms to initiate a will implement a system of pre-hospital patient comprehensive program to integrate sources of dispatching using telemedicine tools, and produce renewable energies – notably wind energy – into the synergy with the COVACC. By improving these grid infrastructures of the Saharan/Sahel region. This capabilities, this project will help to better coordinate project was led by experts from Mauritania, Morocco, and pool the operational assets of Mauritania’s civil Germany, France, Turkey and the United States. [ref. protection and health system at the local and regional G2620]. level, and later across the entire country. This project is led by experts from Mauritania, Romania, and France. [ref. G5732].