The United Nations Interregional Crime and Justice Research Institute (UNICRI) organised a capacity-building workshop from 27 to 29 October 2026 in Aïoun El Atrouss, Hodh El Gharbi, one of Mauritania's most remote regions, to strengthen local capacities to identify and address interconnected risks related to climate change and violent extremism.
The workshop brought together local authorities, civil society organisations, women's associations and community representatives involved in natural resource management, conflict prevention and local governance.
The training was organised as part of UNICRI's project “Strengthening National and Regional Approaches to Address Climate-Related Security and Violent Extremism Risks”, supported by the German Federal Foreign Office, which aims to strengthen national and regional responses to emerging climate-related security challenges in the Sahel.
Understanding interconnected climate and security risks
Mauritania faces growing environmental pressures, including desertification, rising temperatures, irregular rainfall and the degradation of natural resources . These challenges exacerbate existing socio-economic vulnerabilities, including water scarcity, food insecurity and the erosion of agropastoral livelihoods.
In the country's southeastern regions, these pressures intersect with regional insecurity, population displacement and competition over natural resources, potentially aggravating local tensions and creating vulnerabilities that violent extremist groups may exploit. To better understand these dynamics, UNICRI conducted participatory field research in three priority regions: Hodh El Gharbi, Hodh Ech Chargui and Guidimakha. The findings informed the development of a tailored training programme grounded in locally identified risks, vulnerabilities and existing resilience mechanisms.
Translating research into practical responses
Over two and a half days, participants explored the interactions between environmental change, socio-economic vulnerabilities, insecurity and violent extremism through interactive discussions, practical exercises and exchanges of experience.
The training focused on strengthening participants' capacities in climate security risk assessment, natural resource governance, early warning, community dialogue and conflict prevention. Particular emphasis was placed on identifying locally adapted solutions and promoting inclusive, gender-sensitive approaches that recognise the roles of women and young people in strengthening community resilience.
Strengthening local ownership and cooperation
The workshop provided an opportunity to strengthen collaboration among local stakeholders, encourage knowledge-sharing and promote the application of evidence-based tools to address interconnected climate and security risks.
Through these initiatives, UNICRI continues to support Mauritania in developing inclusive, locally driven and evidence-based approaches to addressing climate-related security risks and preventing violent extremism.
