Egypt's Minister of Environment: Food Security a Golden Opportunity to Link Adaptation, Biodiversity, and Desertification

Egypt Today

25-05-2025

Egyptian Minister of Environment, Yasmine Fouad meets with Ambassador Seyni Nafo, Coordinator of the African Adaptation Initiative (AAI) in Cairo- press photo
CAIRO – 25 May 2025: Egyptian Minister of Environment, Yasmine Fouad, emphasized that food security presents a golden opportunity to connect climate adaptation, biodiversity, and desertification efforts.
This comes in light of the release of the 2030 Global Biodiversity Framework, which places climate at its core, alongside the political momentum generated during the recent COP16 Desertification Conference and the mobilization of financial resources to address these challenges, she added.
Fouad underscored the urgent need to secure food systems amidst a growing global food crisis, intensified by climate change and compounded by ongoing geopolitical instability. She made these remarks during a meeting with Ambassador Seyni Nafo, Coordinator of the African Adaptation Initiative (AAI).
She also highlighted the potential to replicate successful models from the renewable energy sector to de-risk investments in food security—particularly for the private sector and smallholder farmers.
Egypt's renewable energy success, especially the Benban Solar Park—funded with approximately $475 million—was made possible through strategic policies adopted since 2015 and development partner support, the minister said.
The meeting was attended by representatives including the Spokesperson for the African Negotiating Group, a member of the Board of Directors of the Green Climate Fund, and their accompanying delegation.
Egypt to Host 10th Anniversary of AAI Launch
Discussions focused on accelerating the AAI's role in addressing Africa's climate needs and preparing for the celebration of the initiative's 10th anniversary, which was launched by President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi in 2015.
Also present were Dr. Ali Abu Senna, Head of the Egyptian Environmental Affairs Agency, and Ms. Soha Taher, Head of the Central Department for Climate Change and International Cooperation.
Fouad expressed her pride in the African Adaptation Initiative, describing it as a historic turning point for Africa. She emphasized that it was not merely a mechanism for mobilizing climate finance, but a model of continental unity—Africa coming together to define and act on its own needs. Despite receiving less international attention compared to the African Renewable Energy Initiative, the AAI remains critical, particularly as adaptation becomes a continental priority. She noted that COP26 in Glasgow marked a significant shift in elevating the profile of adaptation.
Dr. Fouad also called for adaptation goals to be translated into investment opportunities. This involves transforming national adaptation plans into project packages with technical support from international institutions, offering replicable implementation models for the continent.
She further highlighted Egypt's work on an interactive climate risk map as part of its National Adaptation Plan, aimed at identifying climate risks to agriculture. Additionally, the Climate Finance System project—developed with the French Development Agency (AFD) and the Green Climate Fund—prepares Egyptian banks to engage with climate financing, which differs from traditional sustainability financing. The Central Bank of Egypt has also mandated that banks assess climate risk for all funded projects.
Egypt hosts the African Center of Excellence for Resilience and Adaptation under NEPAD, focusing on climate change impacts in agriculture and food security. The center plays a key role in fostering a supportive climate for investment and finance. She proposed launching joint activities with a national bank and development partners to reduce food security investment risks. She also called for coordination at the Arab level and integrating the African Adaptation Initiative into the agenda of the Council of Arab Environment Ministers meeting in October.
Ambassador Nafo: Food Security and Adaptation Must Be Transformed into Action
Ambassador Seyni Nafo emphasized the importance of converting adaptation goals and national plans into actionable projects and investments—an ongoing challenge for the African continent. He noted that the upcoming 10th anniversary celebration of the AAI would mark a renewed push for concrete implementation, and Egypt was chosen as host in recognition of its leadership in advancing Africa's adaptation agenda.
Nafo pointed out that food security, particularly for small and medium-sized enterprises, will be the top priority going forward. He stressed the need for stronger engagement with financial institutions to recognize agriculture's role as a key economic driver. Some African countries have already initiated programs to help banks assess and manage investment risks, with Egypt well-positioned to adopt and lead such efforts.
He also discussed the rollout of a training program for climate specialists in Africa, aimed at facilitating access to adaptation finance and strengthening public-private collaboration. The program supports the accreditation of African entities by the Green Climate Fund and promotes private sector involvement in climate solutions, financing, and technology transfer.