The African Union of Broadcasting (AUB), in partnership with UNU-INWEH and HEC Montréal, is pleased to announce the participation of Mr. Hamid Belkessam as a speaker in the strategic session dedicated to “Water Scarcity, Food Security, and Stability in North Africa.” A seasoned journalist and dedicated civil society advocate, he will bring his field expertise on climate and marine issues.
A Journalism Career at the Heart of Ecological Transition
A prominent figure in the Algerian media landscape, Hamid Belkessam has dedicated most of his career to covering environmental issues and sustainable development.
A pioneer in broadcast media, he has been a columnist, producer, and host at Radio Chaîne III since 2002, creating landmark shows on the energy transition such as Indice Vert and Impact. His career is also grounded in extensive print journalism experience as former Editor-in-Chief of the daily newspaper L’Authentique, Publisher of the monthly magazine Repères, and contributor to several major publications including La Nation, Algérie Hebdo, and Tassili. Furthermore, he is the co-author of key reference works, notably the Atlas de l’environnement and Atlas économique.
Outstanding Civic and Marine Engagement
Beyond the microphones and newsrooms, Hamid Belkessam is passionate about the sea and an ardent defender of biodiversity. A CMAS 2-Star certified international diver, he became involved early on in aquatic ecosystem protection, founding the university scuba club Le Nautile in 1987, followed in 1992 by the RECIFS association to train divers and support marine science research.
His hands-on commitment took concrete shape in 1993 with the launch of the famous “Sea Cleaners” (Les Éboueurs de la mer) campaign, focused on cleaning seabeds, ports, and coastlines. Also a pioneer in inclusion, he introduced adaptive scuba diving for people with disabilities in Algeria in 2013. More recently, during the 2020 health crisis, he demonstrated his solidarity through the Respire ++ initiative, delivering emergency non-invasive ventilation equipment to intensive care units.
Valuable Insights for the Future of the Region
Combining his dual roles as a specialized journalist and environmental activist, Hamid Belkessam will enrich the discussions with practical solutions to the major challenge of water and food security in North Africa.
📌 Practical Information and Registration
Event: Online session on “Water Scarcity, Food Security, and Stability in North Africa”
Date: September 29, 2026
Time: 11:00 AM – 12:00 PM (Montreal Time)
Registration Link: https://lnkd.in/dp_tv3Eh
