Madar (Nouakchott) - President Mohamed Ould Cheikh El Ghazouani on Friday, October 30, 2026, opened the first forum of Mauritanian communities abroad at the Mokhtar Ould Daddah conference centre in Nouakchott, the Mauritanian News Agency reported.
The forum, organised by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, African Cooperation and Mauritanians Abroad, includes specialised workshops, one on "communities' rights and political participation: towards better representation and stronger communication mechanisms", with the foreign and interior ministries, the National Assembly and the independent electoral commission.
A second workshop covers the diaspora's role in promoting tourism, attracting investment and boosting trade, with the Ministry of Trade and Tourism, the Chamber of Commerce, the investment promotion agency, business operators and representatives of diplomatic missions.
The president gave an opening speech reviewing the forum's main themes and the diaspora's role in strengthening its ties with the country and contributing to development, according to the presidency's press office, which has not yet published the text.
Prime Minister Mokhtar Ould Djay, government members, MPs representing Mauritanians abroad, the head of the union of Mauritanian community offices abroad and the diplomatic corps attended the opening.
The forum, as Madar reported this morning, follows consultations with community representatives in 22 countries, who called for better consular services, a national council for communities abroad and electoral representation for Mauritanians abroad; it is due to close on Saturday with recommendations and a roadmap.
