SSIG 2026 in Cairo: Celebrating 25 Years of Collaboration for Sahel & Sahara Conservation
What an incredible few days in Cairo for the 25th edition of the Sahel & Sahara Interest Group Annual Meeting!
For the first time ever, the SSIG conference was hosted in Egypt, bringing together nearly 70 participants from 15 countries for three days of discussions, exchanges and collaboration dedicated to the conservation of the Sahel and Sahara regions. Researchers, conservation practitioners, government representatives, NGOs, zoological institutions and international organisations gathered to share experiences, strengthen partnerships and discuss common challenges facing one of the world’s most fragile regions.
Organised by Sahara Conservation in partnership with Arab Network for Environment and Development, this year’s meeting took place on the road to UNCCD COP17 and highlighted the International Year of Rangelands and Pastoralists. The conference provided an important platform to explore the links between biodiversity conservation, ecosystem restoration, sustainable pastoralism and community resilience across the Sahel and Sahara.
Over the course of the conference, participants shared 34 insightful presentations covering species restoration, protected area management, ecosystem conservation, pastoralism, human-wildlife coexistence, scientific research, environmental governance and community engagement across the region. The diversity and quality of the presentations once again demonstrated the strength of collaboration and innovation within the SSIG network.
A particularly meaningful moment of this edition was the celebration of the 25th SSIG meeting, an opportunity to reflect on 25 years of collaboration, dedication and collective efforts for the conservation of the Sahel and Sahara. Over the past two and a half decades, the SSIG has grown into a unique platform fostering dialogue, knowledge-sharing and long-term partnerships among actors committed to the future of these ecosystems and the communities that depend on them.
A huge thank you to all participants, speakers and partners for contributing to the success of this special edition, and for the inspiring discussions held throughout the event.
Wadis and Dunes Excellence Award
During the conference, we were also thrilled to celebrate the second edition of the Wadis and Dunes Excellence Awards, which recognise outstanding contributions to the conservation of the Sahel and Sahara, as well as the dedication of individuals and organisations working to protect the region’s biodiversity, landscapes and communities.
Special congratulations to this year’s recipients:
- Rafaat Al-Misaak, Desert Research Center, Egypt
- Mostafaa Al Hakeem, Desert Research Center, Egypt
- Marie Petretto, Marwell Wildlife, Tunisia
- Tim Wacher, ZSL, UK
- Philippe Chardonnet, IUCN SSC Antelope Specialist Group, France
- David Mallon, IUCN SSC Antelope Specialist Group, UK
Their commitment, expertise and long-standing efforts continue to inspire the wider conservation community and contribute to a stronger future for the Sahel and Sahara.
We look forward to continuing this collective momentum in the years ahead and to strengthening cooperation for the conservation and sustainable future of the Sahel and Sahara.