Egypt’s Minister of Environment, Yasmine Fouad, participated in the Second Roundtable of the African Forum of Environmental Protection Agencies (AFEPA), held in Cairo from December 3 to 5. The event, hosted by the Center for Environment and Development for the Arab Region and Europe (CEDARE) in collaboration with the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) Regional Office, brought together environmental agency leaders, UNEP-accredited diplomats, and experts from across Africa. The forum served as a platform to share knowledge, promote best practices, and tackle shared environmental challenges.
Founded by the African Ministerial Conference on the Environment (AMCEN) in 2022, AFEPA aims to connect science with policy, mobilize partnerships, and advance both regional and global environmental agendas. In her opening remarks, Minister Fouad underscored the critical role of integrating scientific research into practical, actionable policies to drive sustainable development. She highlighted Egypt’s significant strides in renewable energy and its Integrated Coastal Zone Management Plan as prime examples of successful environmental policy implementation.
Minister Fouad also emphasized the need for increased regional cooperation to share knowledge and best practices, reinforcing Africa’s potential to lead in environmental protection. Dr. Ali Abo Sena, CEO of the Egyptian Environmental Affairs Agency, presented Egypt’s successes in ecotourism, which received widespread acclaim from fellow African leaders in environmental protection.
Chaired by Faustin Munyazikwiye, Deputy Director of the Rwanda Environment Management Agency, the meeting achieved its three main objectives, including the updating of the Africa Action Plan—a key document that will guide future initiatives. The forum also focused on the urgent issue of plastic pollution, aligning with ongoing global discussions, particularly the negotiations in South Korea for a legally binding agreement to combat plastic pollution.
A significant milestone of the forum was the launch of AFEPA’s new digital platform, developed by CEDARE. The platform is designed to enhance communication and facilitate knowledge exchange among African environmental protection agencies. Ahmed Abdel Rahim, Deputy Executive Director of CEDARE, explained that the platform would provide specialized tools to address pressing environmental issues across the continent. It will also centralize critical resources such as funding and training opportunities to support sustainable development efforts in Africa.
The closing session marked the election of Morocco to the Executive Bureau of AFEPA, which was confirmed by unanimous consent. The new Executive Bureau includes representatives from Rwanda, Zambia, Niger, Gabon, and Morocco, and will serve for two-year terms with members rotating according to regional representation. This selection reflects a balanced approach to leadership in Africa’s environmental efforts.
In his closing remarks, Abdel Rahim expressed gratitude to all participants and reaffirmed CEDARE’s commitment to supporting African nations in their pursuit of sustainable development. He also thanked Minister Fouad for her steadfast support and noted Egypt’s role as a model for balancing economic growth with the preservation of natural resources and environmental sustainability across the African continent.
