Keltoum AIT BELHAJ is the Regional Coordinator for the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) Region under the Capacity-Building Initiative for Transparency – Global Support Programme (CBIT-GSP), funded by the Global Environment Facility (GEF) and implemented by the UNEP Copenhagen Climate Centre (UNEP-CCC). In this role, Keltoum supports developing countries across the MENA region in strengthening their climate transparency systems and building institutional capacities for effective climate reporting. A key focus of her work is advancing the implementation of the Enhanced Transparency Framework (ETF) under the Paris Agreement.
With over 13 years of experience in climate change, sustainable development, and green economy, Keltoum has become a recognized leader in climate reporting and transparency. She has extensive experience in managing and overseeing Monitoring, Reporting, and Verification (MRV) systems, developing national communications, and implementing climate transparency frameworks. Her technical expertise spans the preparation and submission of climate-related reports, helping countries align their climate actions with international frameworks, particularly the UNFCCC and the Paris Agreement.
Before her current position at UNEP-CCC, Keltoum spent over a decade leading initiatives in climate policy and reporting. She has played a pivotal role in developing MRV platforms, coordinating climate finance efforts, and supporting green economy policies across the region. Her expertise extends to the preparation of Biennial Transparency Reports (BTRs), National Communications, and the development of long-term low-emission strategies (LT-LEDS). Keltoum has also supported countries in their efforts to establish climate finance strategies and ensure they have access to resources to meet their NDC commitments.
Her leadership in climate negotiations is demonstrated by her participation in international discussions under the UNFCCC and Paris Agreement, advocating for transparent, accurate, and accessible climate reporting mechanisms.
Earlier in her career, Keltoum held significant positions related to environmental monitoring and sustainable development, including as Regional Director of the Observatory for Environment and Sustainable Development and as a Senior Engineer at the Ministry of Environment of Morocco. Her work included contributing to national sustainable development strategies and promoting the integration of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) into local and regional policies.
Keltoum holds an engineering degree in Process and Environmental Engineering and is committed to advancing robust climate reporting systems and supporting low-carbon, transparent, and sustainable development strategies throughout the MENA region.
With over 13 years of experience in climate change, sustainable development, and green economy, Keltoum has become a recognized leader in climate reporting and transparency. She has extensive experience in managing and overseeing Monitoring, Reporting, and Verification (MRV) systems, developing national communications, and implementing climate transparency frameworks. Her technical expertise spans the preparation and submission of climate-related reports, helping countries align their climate actions with international frameworks, particularly the UNFCCC and the Paris Agreement.
Before her current position at UNEP-CCC, Keltoum spent over a decade leading initiatives in climate policy and reporting. She has played a pivotal role in developing MRV platforms, coordinating climate finance efforts, and supporting green economy policies across the region. Her expertise extends to the preparation of Biennial Transparency Reports (BTRs), National Communications, and the development of long-term low-emission strategies (LT-LEDS). Keltoum has also supported countries in their efforts to establish climate finance strategies and ensure they have access to resources to meet their NDC commitments.
Her leadership in climate negotiations is demonstrated by her participation in international discussions under the UNFCCC and Paris Agreement, advocating for transparent, accurate, and accessible climate reporting mechanisms.
Earlier in her career, Keltoum held significant positions related to environmental monitoring and sustainable development, including as Regional Director of the Observatory for Environment and Sustainable Development and as a Senior Engineer at the Ministry of Environment of Morocco. Her work included contributing to national sustainable development strategies and promoting the integration of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) into local and regional policies.
Keltoum holds an engineering degree in Process and Environmental Engineering and is committed to advancing robust climate reporting systems and supporting low-carbon, transparent, and sustainable development strategies throughout the MENA region.
Email:
keltoum.aitbelhaj@un.org
Organization
CBIT-GSP