The governor of the American state of Wyoming, Mark Gordon, highlighted the solidity and dynamics of cooperation between Tunisia and Wyoming, stressing that it is based on a convergence of common challenges and interests, particularly in terms of security, natural resources and energy.
In an interview with TAP Agency, Gordon affirmed that this partnership, established since 2004, is part of a long-term strategic vision. He compared it to “planting an olive tree, the fruits of which are beginning to appear today after years of cooperation.”
Initially focused on the security domain, cooperation was strengthened through Tunisia’s participation in the African Lion military exercise, involving American, Tunisian and international forces. The governor praised, in this regard, the professionalism and the high level of coordination observed during the training, in an increasingly complex security context.
Over the years, this partnership has expanded to the academic and technical fields. Gordon spoke of the existence of four memorandums of understanding governing cooperation in key sectors such as agriculture, hydrology, natural resource management and information technology. He also highlighted the role of academic exchanges in strengthening this relationship.
Addressing common challenges, the governor emphasized the problem of scarcity of water resources and drought. He said precipitation in Wyoming is currently about 40% of the normal average, a situation comparable, he said, to climatic conditions in Tunisia. Joint research thus aims to improve water management and strengthen the resilience of the agricultural sector.
On the energy front, Gordon raised the prospects of expanding cooperation to new areas, notably renewable energies, highlighting his State’s progress in wind and solar power. He also mentioned avenues for future collaboration in the areas of nuclear energy and carbon capture technologies, with a view to promoting sustainable and reliable energy systems.
On the sidelines of his visit to Tunisia, the Wyoming governor held meetings with Tunisian officials, including the ministers of Agriculture and Higher Education, as well as researchers from national institutes, to examine ways to strengthen bilateral relations. He expressed confidence in the evolution of this partnership and the prospects for cooperation in strategic sectors for both parties.
