Egypt’s Environment Minister, Yasmine Fouad, and French Ambassador to Cairo, Eric Chevallier, met on Saturday, March 16th, 2024, to explore avenues for strengthening bilateral cooperation on environmental issues, climate change initiatives, and biodiversity preservation.
The discussions centered on Egypt’s successful experience in developing nature reserves through a collaborative approach involving local communities and the private sector. This initiative aligns with the country’s broader green transition strategy.
Minister Fouad highlighted Egypt’s investments in climate-friendly solutions like renewable energy, green hydrogen, and waste management. She also emphasized the ongoing partnership with the French Development Agency (AFD) on on industrial pollution control and establishing a climate financing system to support national banks.
Building on these achievements, the discussions aimed to further solidify cooperation in key areas like achieving carbon neutrality in the petroleum and industrial sectors.
“The perception of environmental protection has significantly shifted,” stated Minister Fouad. “It’s no longer viewed as a secondary concern or a hurdle to progress, but rather as a crucial driver of investment and a necessity for our future. Our bio-economy strategy and the launch of the first Environmental and Climate Investment Forum are testaments to this transformation, opening doors for new investment opportunities.”
The dialogue also explored the potential for a joint “Blue Mediterranean Partnership” nature fund. This initiative, proposed by Minister Fouad, seeks to collaborate with national banks and development partners to support private sector involvement in biodiversity conservation projects along the Mediterranean coastline.
Amb. Chevalier expressed his appreciation for Egypt’s commitment to tackling climate change and voiced France’s desire to continue working together on environmental issues, industrial pollution control, and climate financing projects. He also acknowledged the growing importance of carbon neutrality efforts in France and applauded Egypt’s innovative approach to reframing environmental discourse, which holds promise for attracting further partnerships and private sector investments.
