Signaling a renewed national commitment to climate resilience and inclusive environmental leadership, Egypt’s Minister of Local Development and Acting Minister of Environment, Dr. Manal Awad, officially launched the third edition of the “Climate Leaders” program on Monday. The ceremony brought together National Council for Women (NCW) President, Counselor. Amal Ammar, Youth Leaders Foundation (YLF) Chairman, MP Ahmed Fathi, NCW member and sustainability expert, Eng. Sarah El Batouty, and a wide cohort of young climate advocates from across the country.
The launch reflects Egypt’s growing emphasis on empowering women and youth to contribute meaningfully to national and global climate agendas, particularly in the wake of intensified international discussion following the conclusion of COP30 in Brazil.
A Renewed Vision for Practical Climate Solutions
In her address, Dr. Awad expressed deep pride in inaugurating the new cycle of the initiative at a moment of heightened global focus on climate action. She highlighted the “highly commendable, real-world projects” submitted by participants in previous editions—initiatives she said demonstrate the creative potential of youth to convert environmental challenges into sustainable development opportunities.
Dr. Awad underscored that the Ministry of Environment is fully committed to supporting youth- and women-led climate initiatives, providing technical assistance where needed and connecting emerging ideas to national and regional environmental strategies. She urged participants to develop actionable, problem-oriented solutions and invited them to submit bold and unconventional ideas. “Egypt needs your energy and innovation. Every idea that aims to solve a real challenge has value,” she said.
Growing Momentum for Green Initiatives at the Local Level
The minister also pointed to the expanding portfolio of smart green projects emerging across Egyptian governorates. These projects, many identified through annual competitions offering financial incentives, represent opportunities for scalable implementation and potential donor funding.
Reflecting on her time as Governor of Damietta, Dr. Awad noted the success of multi-stakeholder collaborations involving the private sector, universities, civil society organizations, and the National Council for Women—partnerships she described as vital to advancing environmental solutions with measurable community impact.
Women’s Central Role in Climate Policy
In her remarks, Counselor Amal Ammar emphasized the strong and ongoing cooperation between the National Council for Women and the Youth Leaders Foundation, describing youth climate awareness as a national imperative. She stressed that women’s empowerment is inseparable from sustainable development, referencing Egypt’s first women-centered sustainable development strategy and the Women’s Empowerment Strategy 2030.
Ammar also expressed gratitude to Dr. Awad for her leadership in aligning environmental policy with local development and sustainability objectives, noting that such integration is essential for achieving long-term climate resilience.
From Concept to Impact: A Dialogue Between Experience and Aspiration
A central feature of the event was a panel discussion titled “Climate Leaders: From Idea to Impact — A Dialogue Between Experience and Ambition.” The discussion brought together sustainability pioneer Eng. Sarah El Batouty, ECOnsult founder; Dr. Safaa Hosny, program director at the Youth Leaders Foundation; researcher Ahmed Mahmoud El-Sayed, founder of the “Zel” initiative; and student innovator Soheila Emad, representing the “Eco Air” team and a winner from the program’s second edition.
Panelists shared success stories as well as lessons learned from earlier cohorts, illustrating how youth-driven climate solutions can transition from conceptual frameworks to tangible environmental impact.
Recognition and Reflection
During the ceremony, Counselor Ammar presented Dr. Awad with the National Council for Women Shield, honoring her efforts to advance environmental and climate action across institutions and communities. Attendees also viewed a short documentary showcasing achievements from the program’s first two editions, highlighting the evolution of youth engagement in climate innovation in Egypt.
A National Platform for Climate Innovation
The Climate Leaders program has emerged as one of Egypt’s foremost platforms for cultivating youth-driven environmental innovation. Operating under the patronage of the Ministry of Environment, the Ministry of Social Solidarity, and the National Council for Women, the initiative provides training, mentorship, and national visibility to young innovators and student teams developing solutions to Egypt’s most pressing environmental challenges.
As Egypt continues to expand its climate-action commitments, the program is poised to play a critical role in shaping the next generation of environmental leaders and ensuring that both young people and women remain at the forefront of national sustainability efforts.
