Chers partenaires, chers amis,
Since its creation in 1998—and for the past 28 years—CARI has worked tirelessly and on multiple fronts to serve dry and arid regions as one of the pioneers in combating land degradation through agroecology, the preservation of oases, and the involvement of civil society both on the ground and in multilateral negotiation processes and forums. In particular, it has consistently supported the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification—from the moment it entered into force—to benefit soil health and development in arid regions.
Thanks to Patrice Burger’s strong founding vision and the vast network of stakeholders he was able to mobilize—from the local to the multilateral level—with you and often thanks to you, CARI has become an organization internationally recognized for its expertise, its impact on the ground, and its innovations that strengthen civil society participation processes. This exceptional legacy remains the foundation upon which we continue to build.
However, a historic chapter is coming to a close today with a major change. Following our Annual General Meeting on April 17, 2026, the Board of Directors elected Patrick Smith, previously vice president, as president of the association. A member of the executive committee for the past three years and a recognized expert in sustainable regional development, his in-depth knowledge of the issues at hand ensures a smooth and immediate continuation of our activities, with a fresh new perspective.
Because stability is key to effective international solidarity, this change is part of a carefully considered transition: our operational team, our ongoing programs, and our strategic priorities remain unchanged at this stage. Our priority remains the same: to combat desertification and land degradation, promote sustainable agricultural practices based on agroecology, and support local communities in preserving and maintaining their food-producing heritage.
The Ambitions of Patrick Smith, President-elect
“It is with immense pride and a keen sense of responsibility that I succeed Patrice Burger. My goal is simple: to honor the work that has been done and remain true to our course, while adapting our actions not only to the growing climate challenges that our partners in the Global South—and we ourselves—face, but also to the many uncertainties arising from the changing political landscape.”
A Message from Founder Patrice Burger, Outgoing President
“Concerns about land degradation and its negative implications for the future—no civilization has ever survived the destruction of its soils—are, unfortunately, becoming more evident every day, confirming the relevance of the initial commitment that led to the creation of CARI. But after nearly three decades of total and unwavering dedication, from the foundation’s inception to the presidency, I have chosen to step down from my role as President while remaining actively involved with CARI. My sincerest wishes for success go to Patrick Smith as he takes on the task of writing the next chapter of this story and the challenges it entails. I would like to take this opportunity to express my deepest gratitude to all my fellow travelers—and there are many of them—whether anonymous individuals, public figures, or institutions—who have honored me with their support and trust throughout this long journey, and I hope that these relationships will continue with Patrick Smith.”
What’s changing? Nothing except the momentum
The entire management team and the office are at your disposal to discuss our future joint projects in person:
Christophe Brossé (Chief Executive Officer) & Adeline Derkimba (Program Director)
Vincent Jamonneau, Cédric Baudran, and Renaud Piquemal (Board Members)
We look forward to continuing this fruitful collaboration with you.
Warm regards,
On behalf of the Board of Directors
Patrice Burger (Founder & Outgoing President) & Patrick Smith (President-elect)
