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Daily News Egypt
3 hours ago
- Politics
- Daily News Egypt
Egypt prepares to tackle seasonal air pollution in Nile Delta
Egypt is launching preparations to combat the seasonal episodes of acute air pollution, often referred to as the 'black cloud,' that affect the Nile Delta region, Minister of Local Development and acting Minister of Environment, Manal Awad, has announced. The ministry will hold a series of periodic meetings with the governors of the affected provinces, starting with Kafr El-Sheikh, to coordinate efforts between the ministries of agriculture, environment, and local development, Awad said in a Tuesday statement. The first of these meetings took place on Monday in Kafr El-Sheikh, attended by local officials and representatives from the ministries and the World Bank-funded Greater Cairo Air Pollution Management and Climate Change Project. 'This comes in implementation of the political leadership's directives to provide a clean and safe environment for citizens, and in preparation for dealing with acute air pollution episodes associated with the burning of agricultural waste,' Awad stated. She emphasised that the combined efforts of ministries and relevant bodies will help turn this environmental challenge into an economic opportunity by utilising rice straw as an economic product instead of burning it. 'This system represents a success story for Egypt in addressing climate change, as it has increased farmers' awareness of the economic value of rice straw, reduced open burning rates, and created new job opportunities in rural areas,' Awad added. During the meeting in Kafr El-Sheikh, the governorate's assistant secretary-general, Major General Mohamed Sha'ir, stressed the importance of coordinating efforts to tackle the open burning of agricultural waste by promoting its recycling into fertilisers and feed. The plan for the 2025 season includes enhancing the collection and recycling of rice straw, coordinating between agencies to prevent waste accumulation, and enforcing penalties for violators. Officials at the meeting noted that Kafr El-Sheikh is one of Egypt's top rice-producing governorates and that its farmers have become increasingly aware of the benefits of using rice straw to produce organic fertilisers, animal feed, and other products. Dr. Mohamed Hassan, the national coordinator of the Greater Cairo Air Pollution Management and Climate Change Project, highlighted the project's role in reducing air pollutant emissions from two main sources: open waste burning and vehicle emissions. The $200 million project, launched in 2021 with World Bank funding, is establishing monitoring networks, implementing an integrated air quality management plan, and supporting waste management infrastructure. Hossam Amin, head of the branch affairs sector at the Environmental Affairs Agency, said that recycling rice straw also contributes to producing organic fertilisers, biofuel, and handicrafts, creating non-traditional job opportunities for youth in rural areas. Dr. Alaa Azzouz, head of the agricultural extension sector at the Ministry of Agriculture, affirmed the ministry's continued technical support for farmers and the implementation of awareness campaigns to promote safe management practices for agricultural waste.
Daily News Egypt
09-07-2025
- Business
- Daily News Egypt
Environment ministry signs agreement to strengthen marine protection, promote ecotourism
Egypt's Minister of Environment, Yasmine Fouad, witnessed the signing of a cooperation protocol between the Egyptian Environmental Affairs Agency and the Marine Environment Protection Foundation, aimed at enhancing sustainable resource management and promoting public awareness around marine ecosystems, the ministry said in a statement on Monday. The agreement was signed by Ali Abou Sena, CEO of the Environmental Affairs Agency, and Mohamed Hossam El-Din Abdel Rahim, Chair of the Foundation's Board of Trustees, in the presence of the Foundation's Executive Director, Khaled Raslan. Minister Fouad stated that the partnership reflects the ministry's ongoing support for civil society initiatives aligned with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly those contributing to environmental protection and the well-being of future generations. According to the ministry, the protocol focuses on strengthening environmental monitoring, raising awareness about the dangers of overfishing, supporting the protection of nature reserves, and promoting ecotourism through seminars, awareness campaigns, and environmental camps. Under the agreement, the Environmental Affairs Agency will provide technical assistance and approve proposed activity plans. The Foundation, for its part, will organise environmental events, encourage volunteer participation, and implement small-scale conservation projects within protected areas, all of which will be fully financed by the Foundation. Fouad stressed that such joint initiatives benefit local communities by enhancing livelihoods and increasing public participation in natural resource preservation. She underscored the government's commitment to working hand-in-hand with civil society organisations as a cornerstone for safeguarding Egypt's natural heritage and building a more sustainable future.
Daily News Egypt
25-05-2025
- Business
- Daily News Egypt
Egypt, France coordinate ahead of UN Ocean Conference to combat plastic pollution
Egypt's Minister of Environment, Yasmine Fouad, held a virtual meeting on Saturday with French Minister for Ecological Transition, Agnès Pannier-Runacher, to strengthen cooperation ahead of the United Nations Ocean Conference scheduled for June in Nice, France. The ministers discussed Egypt's active participation in the conference and explored collaborative measures to address plastic pollution, with a special focus on the Mediterranean region. The meeting included senior Egyptian officials, such as the heads of the Environmental Affairs Agency and the Waste Management Regulatory Authority. Fouad commended France's leadership in ocean protection and biodiversity conservation and called for a unified Mediterranean strategy addressing key challenges including the blue economy, biodiversity frameworks, and plastic pollution. She proposed that the conference adopt 'Blue Economy and Mediterranean Sustainability' as a central theme, especially as Egypt prepares to host the Barcelona Convention for the Protection of the Mediterranean Sea later this year. The dialogue also covered ongoing international negotiations for a legally binding treaty to end plastic pollution under the Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee (INC). Fouad reaffirmed Egypt's support for a balanced and transparent agreement that respects the principle of common but differentiated responsibilities, while ensuring financial support for developing countries to meet their environmental targets. 'Plastic is essential in many areas, but we must reduce its harmful impact through investment in recycling technologies and by phasing out unnecessary uses,' Fouad stated. She highlighted Egypt's recent reforms, including a Cabinet decision introducing extended producer responsibility and fees on single-use plastic bags, following two years of consultations with industry stakeholders. The minister also highlighted grassroots efforts such as the Nile cleanup program, which engages local fishermen and women in plastic waste recovery and recycling, creating green jobs and supporting sustainable community development. France's Pannier-Runacher welcomed Egypt's proactive approach and emphasized the urgency of reaching a global agreement to reduce plastic consumption and redesign production models. She noted that plastic alternatives and enhanced recycling are critical to reducing ocean pollution and preserving marine biodiversity. Minister Fouad has been officially invited to attend the Ocean Conference, where she will lead a high-level roundtable showcasing Egypt's achievements in nature conservation and plastic reduction. This event will coincide with the 50th anniversary of the Mediterranean Action Plan, underscoring the region's ongoing commitment to environmental sustainability.
Al-Ahram Weekly
04-05-2025
- Al-Ahram Weekly
Egypt cleaning oil spill off South Sinai between Abu Rudeis and Sharm El-Sheikh - Society
Egyptian authorities have launched an emergency containment and cleanup operation following the detection of an oil spill off the South Sinai coast between Abu Rudeis and Sharm El-Sheikh. On Saturday evening, the Ministry of Environment stated that unidentified oil slicks were spotted around 40 kilometres from Abu Rudeis, in the direction of Sharm El-Sheikh. The ministry immediately dispatched teams from the Environmental Affairs Agency and the Al-Salam Centre for Combating Marine Oil Pollution to the site. The emergency response teams collected two samples from the affected area for laboratory analysis to determine the source and composition of the spill. The ministry added that legal measures will follow once the responsible party is identified. The incident threatens the Red Sea's coral reef ecosystems on the South Sinai coast near Sharm El-Sheikh. These ecosystems are vital to marine biodiversity and a cornerstone of Egypt's coastal tourism industry. Tourism is a key source of foreign currency for Egypt, and it has set a target of attracting 30 million visitors annually by 2028. In 2024, Egypt welcomed 15.7 million tourists, generating $14.1 billion. Follow us on: Facebook Instagram Whatsapp Short link:
Daily News Egypt
11-02-2025
- Business
- Daily News Egypt
Environment Minister reviews World Bank projects in Greater Cairo
Egypt's Minister of Environment, Yasmine Fouad, met with the World Bank technical mission to discuss the progress of the Greater Cairo Air Pollution and Climate Change Management Project, a $200m initiative implemented in collaboration with the World Bank. During the discussions, the minister reviewed the findings of the mission's recent assessment of the project's various components, including the latest developments in the electric bus initiative, with the first batch of buses expected to be delivered soon. The meeting also covered the mission's evaluation of the integrated waste management complex in the city of 10th of Ramadan and the latest progress in closing the Abu Zaabal landfill in Qalyubeya. Updates on project timelines, budgets, and challenges affecting implementation were also discussed. A key focus of the discussions was enhancing private sector participation in waste management through new contract models, particularly in the integrated waste management city of 10th of Ramadan. The meeting explored mechanisms to mitigate risks and encourage private investment, emphasizing that waste management is one of the sectors benefiting from green incentives under Egypt's new investment law. Fouad closely monitored the preparations for closing the Abu Zaabal landfill, reviewing project designs and expected timelines for execution. She was also briefed on the latest efforts to reduce air pollution and improve environmental monitoring, which include capacity-building programs, specialized training, and the provision of advanced monitoring tools. The meeting was attended by Ali Abu Senna, CEO of the Environmental Affairs Agency; Yasser Abdullah, head of the Waste Management Regulatory Agency; Mohamed Hassan, the project's national coordinator; a representative from the Ministry of Planning, Economic Development, and International Cooperation; and World Bank representatives.
