Kurt M. Campbell Deputy Secretary of State | Official Website
The United States and the Islamic Republic of Mauritania held their second Energy Security Dialogue on November 21, 2024. The meeting aimed to strengthen progress and explore new avenues for collaboration in the energy sector. The Mauritanian government presented its plans for regulatory improvements to support its energy transition goals. Meanwhile, the United States discussed ongoing technical cooperation in electricity and updates on supporting Mauritania's sustainable mineral governance through the State Department’s Energy and Mineral Governance Program.
The dialogue featured a session with U.S. energy companies from the hydrocarbon and renewable sectors, focusing on enhancing Mauritania’s investment climate and unlocking further opportunities. The United States commended Mauritania for advancements in offshore gas development. Both governments expressed a mutual interest in expanding bilateral commercial ties across the energy sector, acknowledging Mauritania's role as an emerging gas producer.
Achievements since the first Energy Security Dialogue in 2022 were also reviewed. These included a Memorandum of Understanding on Clean Energy Cooperation signed during COP28, ongoing techno-economic analysis by the National Renewable Energy Laboratory for decarbonized iron and steel production, Power Sector Program training conducted by the State Department in Nouakchott in April 2024, a trade mission led by the U.S. Embassy to the 2024 Offshore Technology Conference, and a technical agreement on mining governance.
The dialogue was chaired by U.S. Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for Energy Resources Kimberly Harrington for the United States and co-chaired by Minister of Energy and Petroleum Mohamed Khaled and Minister of Mines and Industry Tidjani Thiam for Mauritania. Participants included U.S. Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for West African Affairs Michael Heath, U.S. Charge d’Affaires John T. Ice who delivered opening remarks, Coordinator Richard Nelson representing Power Africa, and Assistant Secretary of State for Energy Resources Geoffrey Pyatt who concluded the event.
For more information, contact ENR-PD-Clearances@state.gov.
