In celebration of National Environment Day 2025, Dr. Yasmin Fouad, Minister of Environment, inaugurated the World Bank’s workshop titled “Climate Action and Green Transition,” which was held on the second day of the event. The inauguration was attended by prominent figures including Eng. Adel El-Naggar, Governor of Giza, Eng. Ayman Attia, Governor of Qalyubia, Dr. Elkhan Polukhov, Ambassador of Azerbaijan to Egypt, and Mr. Stefan Gimbert, Regional Director of the World Bank, alongside experts in the field of environmental policy, representatives of donor organizations, embassies, ministries, civil society, and academics.
During her address, Minister Fouad emphasized that this year’s National Environment Day celebration focuses on “Just Green Transition,” which aligns with Egypt’s continued efforts in environmental transformation despite global challenges. She reiterated the President’s directive to prioritize environmental issues in national development strategies and noted the government’s commitment to placing the environment at the core of Egypt’s national security agenda in its new development plan.
The Minister provided a comprehensive overview of Egypt’s achievements in environmental sustainability in 2024, highlighting the country’s efforts to strengthen its waste management sector. She noted the positive outcomes of Egypt’s decision to ban the importation of waste, which led to a significant increase in the production of alternative fuel for cement plants. She also cited the successful licensing of over 300 companies involved in waste collection, transportation, and disposal, with a focus on incorporating the informal sector into the formal waste management ecosystem.
Furthermore, Minister Fouad discussed Egypt’s collaboration with the World Bank on the Air Pollution and Climate Change Management Project in Greater Cairo. Through this partnership, Egypt successfully implemented a sustainable plan to combat the annual “Black Cloud” phenomenon, resulting in a reduction of 334,000 tons of pollutants in the Delta region. The country also made significant progress in air quality improvement by achieving a 98% recycling rate of rice straw and the inclusion of private sector actors and youth in the recycling process.
The Minister also highlighted Egypt’s success in securing the “Esri SAG Award 2024” for excellence in Geographic Information Systems (GIS) in recognition of its work on biodiversity monitoring. Additionally, she noted Egypt’s achievement in securing $200 billion in financing for smart agriculture projects aimed at enhancing climate resilience in the agriculture sector, in collaboration with the Ministry of Agriculture and the Green Climate Fund.
Dr. Fouad further commended Egypt’s role in COP29 in Baku, where Egypt led negotiations on climate financing and climate adaptation. She noted that Egypt’s efforts ensured that the needs of African, Arab, and developing countries were taken into account, with a key outcome being the establishment of a $300 billion annual climate finance target by 2035.
In his remarks, Eng. Adel El-Naggar, Governor of Giza, underscored the government’s commitment to raising environmental awareness and promoting sustainable practices, including expanding the use of alternative energy sources such as solar and wind power, as well as transitioning to cleaner fuels like natural gas. He also highlighted the importance of collaboration with the Ministry of Environment to address solid waste issues and encourage positive citizen behavior toward environmental conservation.
Eng. Ayman Attia, Governor of Qalyubia, praised the fruitful collaboration between the Ministry of Environment and the World Bank, particularly in addressing waste management challenges. He noted the success of closing the Abu Zaabal landfill and the development of an integrated waste management facility in 10th of Ramadan City, which serves as a model for other regions.
Mr. Stefan Gimbert, Regional Director of the World Bank, expressed his satisfaction with the World Bank’s role in the air pollution and climate change project in Greater Cairo, which has helped improve air quality and manage environmental degradation. He also noted the growing foreign investments in clean energy projects and highlighted the importance of reducing coal usage and increasing the green transition in Egypt.
Dr. Ali Abu Sena, Head of the Egyptian Environmental Affairs Agency, discussed recent developments in waste management, including the establishment of an integrated waste management facility in 10th of Ramadan and the closure of informal landfills. He also emphasized the importance of offering investment opportunities to the private sector for sustainable waste management practices and the inclusion of electric buses in the Green Transportation initiative.
The event concluded with a discussion on further strengthening Egypt’s environmental policies, creating opportunities for private sector participation, and fostering sustainable development through climate action and green transition initiatives.
