Ambassador Hood began his visit by inaugurating a municipal park in Sidi Makhlouf, built under the "Together" program funded by the United States Agency for International Development (USAID). Alongside regional and local authorities, as well as his accompanying delegation, the ambassador explored the park's facilities, which include integrated and multi-purpose spaces.

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This park offers diverse recreational, sports, and cultural activities for children, women, and youth. It also features an exhibition space for artisanal products and a mobile theater. According to Fatma Marzouki Labib, Secretary-General of the Sidi Makhlouf Municipality, the park provides a vital recreational outlet for the residents of Sidi Makhlouf.

Ambassador Hood emphasized that this park, one of eight such facilities established in Medenine, reflects the commitment to collaboration with the Tunisian government and local officials. It aligns with a tripartite strategy focusing on enhancing security cooperation, supporting economic development, and fostering youth engagement through skill development, innovation promotion, and protection from risky behaviors.

Forum on Professional Organizations for Farmers and Fishers

The ambassador also attended a media forum at the Technological Hub in Fjea to discuss the results of the "SERVE" project. This initiative, funded by the U.S. Embassy in partnership with the Ministry of Agriculture, Water Resources, and Fisheries, aims to support Tunisia’s efforts to adapt to and combat climate change. The project assists farmers and fishers by promoting sustainable innovations in agriculture and fisheries and supporting professional organizations such as cooperatives and development groups.

Under this project, Medenine Governorate benefited from a capacity-building program tailored to the region's specific needs. The program included several training sessions for around 200 participants from agricultural groups, culminating in an evaluation workshop where each group presented its sustainable development projects and initiatives. These were showcased to the ambassador during the forum.

Ambassador Hood highlighted that more than 14 million Tunisian dinars were allocated for training and modernizing the work of farmers and fishers, equipping them with tools to address climate change and preserve resources. He underscored the vital role of agriculture and fisheries as pillars of the bilateral relationship between Tunisia and the United States.

Boosting Tunisian Exports

The ambassador noted the record value of Tunisian exports to the U.S., which reached 3 billion Tunisian dinars this year. Agricultural products, especially packaged olive oil of Tunisian origin, represented the largest share. The U.S. is Tunisia’s second-largest market for these goods.

Empowering Women Entrepreneurs

As part of his visit, Ambassador Hood also highlighted the "Faa’lates" project, which aims to empower women entrepreneurs to overcome social, economic, and environmental challenges. The initiative provides training and support to help women develop and implement business plans.

This visit underscores the strong partnership between Tunisia and the United States and highlights their shared commitment to sustainable development, economic growth, and community empowerment.