Environment Minister launches second phase of ‘TeraMid' campaign for just energy transition
Fouad praised the campaign—led by the Arab Network for Environment and Development (RAED)—as a civil society-driven initiative aligned with global climate commitments, especially efforts to accelerate renewable energy adoption in Mediterranean countries.
She noted that Egypt plans to generate 42% of its energy mix from renewables by 2030, having already reached over 7 GW of installed capacity in 2024, supported by ongoing wind and solar projects in Zafarana, Benban, and Gabal El-Zeit.
Fouad stressed that investing in renewable energy has proven profitable, particularly in developing economies, but highlighted the need for legislative incentives and stronger grid infrastructure to attract greater private sector participation. She also called for reforms in international climate finance to help ease the debt burden on developing countries.
The minister emphasized the role of renewables in safeguarding sectors vulnerable to climate change, notably agriculture and food security, and warned of the serious environmental threats facing the Mediterranean, including rising sea levels and plastic pollution.
She further advocated integrating the 'TeraMid' campaign's goals into the upcoming Conference of the Parties to the Barcelona Convention, which Egypt will host in December.
Emad Adly, General Coordinator of RAED, said the campaign's second phase will build on the achievements of its first phase, which notably recommended tripling renewable energy deployment in the Mediterranean to reach one terawatt of clean energy by 2030.
He added that the next phase will focus on embedding these recommendations into national energy strategies, strengthening environmental journalism, and empowering youth through digital advocacy campaigns promoting clean energy across various sectors.
The launch event also featured presentations highlighting the campaign's national and regional milestones, alongside a roundtable discussion exploring Egypt's leadership role in reaching the terawatt target, the challenges ahead, and opportunities for deeper collaboration between government, private sector, and civil society stakeholders.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Al-Ahram Weekly
15 hours ago
- Al-Ahram Weekly
Turkey's Erdogan insists on Cyprus two-state solution - International
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan on Sunday reaffirmed his country's support for a two-state solution in Cyprus, urging the international community to accept the Mediterranean island's existing division. Cyprus has been divided since 1974, when a Turkish invasion followed a coup in Nicosia backed by Greece's then-military junta. The Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus, declared in 1983, is recognised only by Ankara. "We fully support the vision based on a two-state solution," Erdogan said during a visit to northern Cyprus marking 51 years since Turkish troops invaded the island. "It is time for the international community to make peace with the realities on the ground," Erdogan said. The Turkish leader's visit comes few days after UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said that meetings between Cyprus's rival leaders at the organisation's New York headquarters were "constructive," even as questions remained about crossing points on the island. Erdogan on Sunday called for an end to the isolation of the TRNC. "Diplomatic, political, and economic relations should be established with the TRNC, and the injustice endured by Turkish Cypriots for decades must finally come to an end," he said. The last major round of peace talks collapsed in Crans-Montana, Switzerland, in July 2017. Follow us on: Facebook Instagram Whatsapp Short link:
Al-Ahram Weekly
21 hours ago
- Al-Ahram Weekly
Egypt PM accepts Environment Minister Yasmine Fouad's resignation ahead of UNCCD post - Society
Prime Minister Mostafa Madbouly accepted the resignation of Environment Minister Yasmine Fouad on Sunday following her appointment as Executive Secretary of the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD), a top international post she is set to assume later this year. Madbouly assigned Local Development Minister Manal Awad to temporarily oversee the Environment Ministry's duties until a new minister is appointed. Fouad, who has served as Environment Minister since June 2018, was named by UN Secretary-General António Guterres in May as the next UNCCD Executive Secretary, becoming the first Egyptian to hold the role. She will succeed Mauritania's Ibrahim Thiaw, whose term will end in early August. The exact start date for Fouad's three-year term has yet to be announced. Madbouly congratulated Fouad on her new post, calling the appointment a testament to her expertise and leadership in environmental diplomacy. He praised her service and wished her success in supporting international efforts to combat desertification and promote sustainable development. Fouad brings over 25 years of experience in environmental governance, international climate negotiations, and sustainable development policy. She previously served as Assistant Minister of Environment and was Egypt's Ministerial Coordinator and Envoy for COP27, held in Sharm El-Sheikh in 2022. She holds a Master's degree in Environmental Sciences and a PhD in Political Science with a focus on Euro-Mediterranean relations. In a statement welcoming his successor, outgoing Executive Secretary Ibrahim Thiaw said: 'Yasmine Fouad brings with her a wealth of experience and deep commitment to the environment and sustainable development. I warmly congratulate her on her appointment and have full confidence that she will bring new energy and vision to the role.' Follow us on: Facebook Instagram Whatsapp Short link:
Daily News Egypt
2 days ago
- Daily News Egypt
Egypt advances environmental cooperation in Africa at AMCEN summit
Egypt reaffirmed its leadership in shaping Africa's environmental agenda during the 20th African Ministerial Conference on the Environment (AMCEN), held in Nairobi from 14–18 July 2025. Environment Minister Yasmine Fouad headed Egypt's delegation, using the forum to strengthen bilateral partnerships and advocate for climate resilience and sustainable development across the continent. On the sidelines of the summit, Fouad met with Somalia's Minister of Environment and Climate Change, General Bashir Jama, to explore cooperation in climate change adaptation, combating desertification, and building institutional capacity. Fouad reiterated Egypt's commitment to supporting Somalia and other African countries in addressing shared environmental challenges. Jama praised Egypt's leadership during COP27 and welcomed the proposal to sign a new memorandum of understanding aimed at launching joint projects and introducing sustainable technologies. In a separate high-level meeting, Fouad met with Ambassador Luis Vayas, Chair of the Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee on Plastic Pollution. She highlighted the urgent need to develop a binding international treaty to tackle plastic waste and pollution. Fouad pointed to Egypt's national progress, including the adoption of extended producer responsibility (EPR) for plastic bags, and stressed the importance of establishing an intergovernmental process backed by independent financing mechanisms to secure treaty effectiveness. Fouad also held discussions with EU Commissioner for the Environment Jessica Roswall on topics including water and food security, as well as plastic pollution. She emphasised AMCEN's critical role in uniting African nations through collective dialogue and joint action to address environmental challenges. Reflecting on the history of AMCEN, founded in Cairo in 1985 by Mostafa Kamal Tolba, Fouad described it as one of Africa's most influential platforms for shaping environmental policy. In her official address to AMCEN, Fouad looked back on four decades of African resilience and progress in environmental protection. She underscored Egypt's own contributions, including updated Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs), projects to protect natural resources, and promotion of the circular economy. Fouad called for fair and accessible international climate finance—particularly for adaptation—and urged greater alignment among the three Rio Conventions on climate change, biodiversity, and desertification. She also voiced hope that the ongoing Geneva negotiations on a global plastic treaty would produce consensus that recognises different national contexts and socioeconomic realities. Egypt, she said, will send a multi-stakeholder delegation to the next negotiation round—including government representatives and private sector stakeholders—to reflect an inclusive, nationally driven approach to the treaty process. Looking ahead to her forthcoming role as Executive Secretary of the UN Convention to Combat Desertification, Fouad underlined that deeper cooperation, innovation, and inclusive governance will be central to tackling desertification and securing a sustainable future for Africa. She concluded by thanking AMCEN's leadership and South Africa for hosting the summit, and reaffirmed Egypt's commitment to advancing shared environmental priorities across the continent. The Egyptian delegation also included officials from the Ministry of Environment, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and the Embassy in Nairobi, all working together to position Egypt as a key driver of environmental cooperation and climate action in Africa.
