Tunis — Under the patronage of the President of the Republic, Tunisia is hosting from November 17 to 19, 2009 in Gammarth (North of Tunis), the sixth Annual conference of the Mediterranean Network for Sustainable Development (AREMEDD) under the slogan "Building of NGOs working capacities in the environment and sustainable development sectors in the Arab and Mediterranean Space".

More than 100 Arab and Mediterranean associations presidents operating in the environment and sustainable development sectors along with a number of experts are taking part in the event which aims at strengthening the role of the associative fabric in the environmental sector.

Four workshops on aspects of institutional, legislative as well as on material aspects of projects will also be held as part of the event.

Opening the symposium, Mr. Oussama Romdhani, Acting Minister in charge of Communication and Relations with the Chamber of Deputies and the Chamber of Advisors, stressed the status of the associative network which aims at making civil society oprganizations partners of the country's development.

He also reviewed the various reforms that have been adopted in this sector, which currently boasts 9,000 NGO's against 2,000 in 1987, while stressing the important place occupied by civil society associations in the 2009 -2014 presidential program.

Mr. Romdhani also underscored the strong relationship between the associative network and the media, saying that associations are a source of reliable information and analysis for the media.

He added that the associations are also invited to intensify their work and efforts in the development and the promotion of digital culture.

For his part, Mr. Mehdi Mlika, president of the national committee of cleanliness and environmental embellishment, said that the conference comes in response to the needs of the associations of the region with regard to the work of the associative fabric and the improvement of its efficiency.

He added that the associations are invited to develop human and material resources and promote modern technologies as well as strengthening relations with the administrations of their respective countries and with similar associations and other stakeholders.