The Coronavirus pandemic has imposed more challenges on the Egyptian Ministry of Environment, in terms of supporting the state’s efforts to confront the outbreak of this epidemic, in addition to its plans to confront pollution and environmental degradation, as well as integrating environmental sustainability standards into development plans, and the process of transition to the green economy. The past few years have witnessed the ministry’s adoption of many plans and strategies to confront environmental issues and support development plans, which open the way for the private sector for greater participation in facing these challenges.

In this convention CEBC & ECIC had the honor to host H.E Dr. Yasmine Fouad; Minister of Environment discussing the topic ‘Environmental Issues & the Role of the Private Sector in Supporting Economic Development Efforts’.

In the opening remarks Eng. Motaz Raslan; on behalf of CEBC & ECIC; welcomed our dear distinguished members, guests and his dear friend H.E. Dr. Yasmine Fouad.

Eng. Motaz said that for decades environmental issues and problems have been the most prominent challenge for many successive governments, where this vital file did not take its share of attention in policies or development programs although the ancient Egyptians were the first to lay the foundations for environmental protection in the world, but we did not invest this history and did not keep up with the developments of the era in protecting and preserving our resources to come in the ranks of countries suffering from air pollution and noise to continue the alarm, threatening the increased risks to the lives of Egyptians and our natural resources and on the economy in general.

Then he mentioned that the progress of the people is always measured by their ability to maintain a healthy and clean environment and their natural resources because there is a close relationship between development and the environment and development cannot be carried out without sustainable environmental resources. This was evident in the extent of interest in the environmental dimension within the Strategy for Sustainable Development and Egypt Vision 2030.

Then he continued ‘in this context, we are pleased to welcome the guest of our seminar today, H.E. Minister Dr. Yasmine Fouad, Minister of Environment, and thank her for meeting the invitation and sharing the dialogue despite her many concerns and the circumstances that the country is going through to reassure her about the state of the Egyptian environment and the most important challenges facing the Ministry’.  Then he gave the floor to H.E. Dr.Yasmine.

For the part of, H.E. Dr Yasmin Fouad, Minister of Environment, said that the environmental issue, supported by the political leadership, has witnessed significant developments in thought and treatment, both at the level of developed countries that have taken their right to natural resources and developing countries that have the right to preserve their natural resources for future generations.

The Minister of Environment reviewed during the seminar the great efforts made during 2020 to promote the environmental file in Egypt in all its fields, there were distinct efforts to introduce investment thought in the field of environmental, which is clearly evident in the field of waste, including agricultural waste, which witnessed large investments and achieved economic opportunities for farmers reached during the past year about 1 billion and 200 million pounds.

The minister referred to the campaign adopted by the Ministry of Environment in cooperation with the Ministries of Information, Tourism and Antiquities to support ecotourism campaign (Eco Egypt) to promote the number of 13 protectorates nationwide through the implementation of an integrated plan that includes all means of communication and awareness to support responsible and sustainable ecotourism, and work to invest new investments in this promising sector to support the sustainability of natural resources.

H.E. Dr. Yasmine revealed that the cost of implementing the new waste system exceeds 18 billion pounds, including 10 billion the cost of infrastructure for the system within the provinces. Then she added that the Government is currently working on the establishment of 103 intermediate waste sorting and assembly plants, the operation of 57 municipal waste recycling plants, in addition to 71 health landfills at the highest level of environmental compatibility.

Then the session was opened for questions and answers where many questions and suggestions were discussed and many attendees praised the ongoing efforts of the Ministry of Environment.