El Niño confirmed for summer 2026: Algeria faces major climate risk
via Algérie3603 min read
The World Meteorological Organization WMO has confirmed an 80% probability of a new El Niño episode developing between June and August, increasing to 90% for subsequent months. This phenomenon typically results in above-average temperatures globally, prolonged droughts in some areas, and extreme rainfall in others. UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres stated that El Niño will "add fuel to the fire" of an already overheating planet. Although originating in the tropical Pacific, its effects spread globally, impacting atmospheric currents. Algeria, despite its geographical distance from the epicenter, is in the path of its consequences. The current El Niño is particularly concerning because tropical Pacific waters already show temperatures 6°C above seasonal norms, a rare early signal. The previous episode from 2023-2024 was among the five most powerful ever documented, contributing to 2024 being the warmest year on record. WMO Secretary-General Celeste Saulo highlighted that El Niño's impact extends beyond the Pacific, affecting agriculture, energy supply, trade, water resources, supply chains, and livelihoods across entire regions. The Mediterranean, bordering northern Algeria, is warming approximately 20% faster than the global average, amplifying El Niño's effects. North Africa is already experiencing a profound transformation of its summers, with heatwaves becoming more common. With El Niño, these episodes could intensify, last longer, and occur earlier in the season. Sout
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This summary was AI-generated from a story originally published by Algérie360.
Malaysian automaker Proton is in strategic discussions to establish a presence in Algeria, potentially assembling vehicles in an existing factory in Oran with a production capacity of 20,000 units per year. This initiative follows a meeting involving the Malaysian Ambassador, officials from DRB-HICOM, Proton, and Modenas, as well as the director of the Automobile Plant Algeria in Oran. The Algerian automotive market is estimated at nearly 1.2 million vehicles annually, attracting increasing interest from foreign manufacturers. Noura Mohamed, director of Automotive Plant Algeria, proposed making an existing plant available to DRB-Hicom for Proton's assembly operations. Oran was chosen due to its established automotive infrastructure. DRB-Hicom has initiated a study to assess the necessary investments and technologies. Additionally, Modenas, a Malaysian group, plans to strengthen its presence in Algeria by manufacturing motorcycle chassis, viewing Algeria as a regional hub for access to African, European, and Arab markets. This dual initiative highlights growing Malaysian investment interest in Algeria, coinciding with other major industrial projects like Opel's plan to produce engines in the country.
Algeria and South Korea have reached an agreement to establish direct air links for the first time, allowing for up to four flights per week between the two countries. This development follows an announcement by the Korean Ministry of Transport regarding a bilateral agreement on new traffic rights. While an air services agreement was signed in 2005 and activated in 2009, direct flights had not materialized due to a lack of negotiations on traffic rights, as stated by the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, and Transport. The new agreement grants both nations the right to operate up to four weekly flights for both passengers and cargo. This new route is significant as South Korea previously had only one direct entry point to Africa, the Incheon-Addis Ababa route. The Korean ministry anticipates that this agreement will attract traffic not only from Algeria but also transit passengers from across Africa and some Mediterranean countries traveling to Korea. The agreement offers flexibility, allowing airlines to utilize all airports in both countries, including regional ones. Air Algérie, already established in Asia with routes to China and Malaysia, is expected to further expand its long-haul network with this new connection to the South Korean market, strengthening its role between Africa and Asia.
Must ReadSpanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez made a brief official visit to Algiers, his first since October 2020, to engage in high-level discussions with Algerian President Abdelmadjid Tebboune and the Prime Minister. The visit focused on reactivating the 2002 friendship, good neighborliness, and cooperation treaty, which was frozen in 2022 following a diplomatic crisis over Spain's stance on Western Sahara. Energy was a key agenda item, with Spain seeking to secure natural gas supplies from Algeria via the Medgaz pipeline and exploring future cooperation in green hydrogen. The Spanish delegation included the Minister for Ecological Transition and Demographic Challenge, along with leaders from major energy companies like Naturgy, Repsol, Enagás, and Moeve. A joint Algerian-Spanish business forum was also held to boost economic ties, which suffered significantly after the 2022 rupture, with Spanish exports to Algeria plummeting from 1.9 billion euros in 2021 to 332 million in 2023. Discussions also covered regional issues such as the situation in the Sahel-Saharan zone, security coordination, and irregular migration, particularly concerning the Canary Islands. The visit marks the culmination of a gradual diplomatic thaw between the two nations, aiming to restore their strategic partnership to pre-crisis levels.