Representing President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi, Egypt’s Minister of Environment, Dr. Yasmine Fouad, delivered a sweeping address during the general session of the 3rd United Nations Ocean Conference (UNOC3) in Nice, France, outlining the nation’s ambitious roadmap for ocean protection, marine biodiversity, and environmental governance.
Her address came as world leaders, scientists, NGOs, and financial institutions gathered from June 9–13, 2025, for high-level discussions on safeguarding the world’s oceans—a critical front in the fight against climate change and biodiversity loss.
Delivering Egypt’s statement on behalf of President El-Sisi, Dr. Fouad emphasized Egypt’s deepening commitment to multilateral environmental action and the sustainable management of marine ecosystems.
“The year 2025 starkly reveals the interconnected nature of the global environmental crisis—rising sea levels, coral bleaching, extreme weather events, plastic pollution, and climate-driven migration are no longer isolated challenges,” Dr. Fouad stated. “Egypt stands firmly committed to leading with purpose, investing in nature-based solutions, and upholding our responsibilities under international environmental frameworks.”
Expanding Egypt’s Marine Protection Strategy
In a headline announcement, Dr. Fouad confirmed that Egypt aims to expand its protected areas from 15% to 22% of its national territory, with plans to designate the Red Sea coast and coral reef systems as official marine protected areas—a major step in Egypt’s long-term biodiversity strategy.
Egypt’s “Blue Economy” strategy, she added, is nearing completion and will be unveiled ahead of COP30 later this year. The blueprint aims to embed social equity and ecological sustainability into marine resource use, fisheries, tourism, and port management.
Among other national actions highlighted:
- Construction of over 70 kilometers of nature-based coastal defenses across five governorates to protect communities from storm surges and sea-level rise.
- Rehabilitation of Egypt’s northern lakes, crucial for supporting local fishing economies and biodiversity.
- Greening initiatives at major Egyptian ports, including Port Said, Damietta, and the Suez Canal, to reduce marine and atmospheric emissions.
- Seasonal fishing bans in the Red Sea to allow ecosystems to recover—an unprecedented move in regional marine policy.
Combatting Marine Plastic Pollution
Egypt is also taking decisive action to confront plastic pollution, which the minister described as “one of the greatest threats to ocean health.”
Dr. Fouad announced that in Q1 2025, the Egyptian Cabinet approved a producer responsibility regulation for single-use plastic bags, which will come into force in the coming days. This landmark step places Egypt at the forefront of global negotiations on a legally binding international plastics treaty, known as INC5.2, expected to gain momentum later this year.
In parallel, Egypt recently signed a new international agreement on marine biodiversity conservation, and is actively working to incorporate biodiversity targets into its updated Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) under the Paris Agreement.
Looking Ahead: Egypt to Host COP24 of the Barcelona Convention
Positioning itself as a regional convenor and problem-solver, Egypt will host the 24th Conference of the Parties to the Barcelona Convention (COP24)—a landmark event that brings together 22 countries bordering the Mediterranean to coordinate actions on marine and coastal protection.
“Egypt will continue playing its role as a constructive multilateral actor,” said Dr. Fouad. “Our COP24 presidency will demonstrate how shared resources can lead to shared solutions—delivering replicable models that go beyond borders.”
A Message of Urgency and Cooperation
Dr. Fouad closed her remarks by conveying President El-Sisi’s personal message of solidarity with the global ocean community and his hope that the UNOC3 would produce “meaningful, actionable outcomes” to preserve the oceans for current and future generations.
The minister’s address received praise from regional delegations and UN officials, many of whom view Egypt as a rising force in environmental diplomacy, especially following its role as host of COP27 and its continued leadership in Africa and the Middle East.
