Governance

Governance

The OSS is applying the principle of subsidiarity with its member countries. It plays the role of initiator and facilitator in establishing partnerships to address common environmental challenges. Key areas of its action include transboundary water resources management and the implementation of multilateral environmental agreements, including those related to land degradation, biodiversity and climate change.

The OSS programs and projects are funded by voluntary contributions, grants and donations from its member countries, Organizations and partners. With a lean and flexible structure, transparent financial management, effective governance, and a proficient, multicultural and multidisciplinary team, the OSS has everything it needs to meet regional and international environmental challenges.

OSS structures

The General Assembly is the supreme governing body of the Organization and represents its ownership by its members. It defines the OSS guidelines and approves its statutes and intervention strategies. It meets every four years in a regular session. It is also responsible for electing the Executive Board members for a four-year term. Egypt currently holds the Presidency of the Organization through His Excellency Mr. Alaaeddine Farouk Zaki El-SAYED, Minister of Agriculture and Land Reclamation of the Arab Republic of Egypt.

The Executive Board is composed of 24 members elected by the General Assembly for a renewable four-year term, and a seven-member bureau that facilitates dialogue between the Executive Board and the Executive Secretariat. The Board meets once a year and makes decisions based on consensus. It implements the General Assembly guidelines and resolutions, examines the annual financial statements, amends regulatory texts, appoints the Executive Secretary and adopts the OSS budget for the following year.

The OSS Executive Board

The OSS Executive Board is currently made up as follows:

  • Chair: Egypt
  • Cen-Sad area: Djibouti and Sudan
  • Arab Maghreb Union area : Morocco and Mauritania 
  • CILSS area: Benin and Niger
  • IGAD area: Kenya and Uganda
  • LCBC Area: Central African Republic and Chad
  • Northern Countries: Germany, Belgium, Canada, France, Italy, Luxembourg, and Switzerland
  • Sub-regional Organizations: PAAGGW, LCBC, CEN-SAD, CILSS, IGAD, and UMA
  • International Organizations: UNCCD
  • Civil Society Organizations: ENDA and CARI

The Executive Board's Bureau is made-up as follows:

  • Presidency: Egypt
  • Members: Benin, France, Kenya, Mauritania, Niger, Uganda, Chad, and the OSS/ES
  • Host country: Tunisia
  • Rapporteur: Djibouti

The Strategic Orientation Committee (SOC)

The Strategic Orientation Committee (SOC) is a voluntary, advisory body that reflects, anticipates, and conducts strategic analysis, taking into account the strategic dimension of the OSS in the face of changes in regional and international governance of natural resources and the environment.

It is composed of independent scientists and practitioners working in the field of sustainable development and meets annually before the Executive Board regular session.

It submits the strategic orientations resulting from its discussions to the OSS Executive Board and Executive Secretariat for consideration.

The SOC members come from different academic, technical, and institutional backgrounds. Their expertise in areas related to sustainable natural resources management is regionally and internationally recognized and increases the legitimacy and scope of the recommendations they make.

Here follows the list of the current Strategic Orientation Committee members:

  • Mr. Habib BEN YAHIA – Honorary President since 2016, Former SOC President, Former Secretary General of the Arab Maghreb Union (UMA)
  • Mr. Jean Luc GNACADJA – Honorary President, Former SOC President, Former Executive Secretary of UNCCD, Former Minister
  • Mrs. Dorothy AMWATA – University Professor
  • Mr. Jean Luc CHOTTE – Research Director at the Institute of Research for Development (IRD)
  • Mr. Alhamandou DORSOUMA – Acting Director and Head of Division, Climate Change and Green Growth Department, AfDB
  • Mr. Elyes HAMZA – Director of the Regional Activity Centre for Specially Protected Areas (SPA/RAC), Former Minister of of Agriculture
  • Mr. Raafat MISAK – Emeritus Professor, Desert Research Centre (DRC), Member of the Scientific and Technical Committee
  • Mrs. Anta SECK – Coordinator of the Integrated Water Resources Management Program (PGIRE 2)
  • Mr. Assane SOUMARE – Professor at the University of Nouakchott, Former Minister of Fisheries
  • Mr. Callist TINDIMUGAYA – Commissioner for Water Resources Planning and Regulation, Ministry of Water and Environment Agriculture of Environment and Sustainable Development
  • Mrs. Anneke TRUX – Program Head, GIZ
  • Mr. Jesper WOHLERT – Director, Humana People to People (HPP)

The Executive Secretariat

The Executive Secretariat includes a skilful, multicultural and multidisciplinary team, implements the Executive Board and General Assembly decisions and takes all necessary measures to manage the OSS, execute its programs, implement its policies, and fulfil its mission.

The Secretariat's organizational structure evolves in layers, as the workload imposed by the activities carried out increases.

The Executive Secretary is accountable to the Executive Board and is elected for a four-year term, renewable once.

Mr. Nabil Ben Khatra is the current Executive Secretary and is serving his second term since April 2025.