On the sidelines of the Third United Nations Ocean Conference (UNOC3), held in Nice from June 9 to 13, Egypt’s Minister of Environment Dr. Yasmine Fouad held a high-level bilateral meeting with Inger Andersen, Executive Director of the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP). The discussion focused on the latest developments in the ongoing negotiations toward a global treaty to end plastic pollution, ahead of the upcoming negotiation round scheduled for August 2025.
Progress on Plastic Reduction in Egypt
During the meeting, Dr. Fouad highlighted Egypt’s concrete steps in combating plastic pollution, particularly through the implementation of the Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) regulation for single-use plastic bags, issued by the Egyptian Cabinet in February 2025 after two years of multi-stakeholder consultation.
“This decision is a major milestone, placing Egypt among leading nations taking action to phase out single-use plastics,” said Dr. Fouad. She noted that public awareness campaigns, both online and on the ground, have already been launched to prepare citizens and businesses for the transition. Under Egypt’s Waste Management Law, a fee will be levied on single-use plastic bags.
Egypt’s Position in Treaty Negotiations
Dr. Fouad reaffirmed Egypt’s active role in the international negotiations, noting that the Head of the Egyptian Environmental Affairs Agency (EEAA), in his role as lead negotiator, has submitted a comprehensive report following the last negotiation round. Egypt is preparing an inter-ministerial meeting to evaluate the current draft of the treaty’s provisions and finalize its national stance.
The Minister stressed the importance of recognizing national circumstances, particularly for countries like Egypt, which—despite suffering from plastic pollution—also rely on plastic production as a source of employment and economic activity. She advocated for a balanced, just transition that supports environmental goals without undermining socio-economic stability.
Towards Independent Financial Mechanism
. Dr. Fouad underscored that this is essential due to the treaty’s distinct goals and multi-stakeholder implementation pathways.
She further emphasized the need for flexible language in the treaty that allows space for national consultations and adaptive approaches, ensuring that the overarching goal of plastic pollution reduction is achievable across varying economic and industrial contexts.
UNEP’s Perspective: Life-Cycle Approach Is Key
In response, Inger Andersen, Executive Director of UNEP, reiterated the importance of addressing the entire life cycle of plastic—not just its final disposal. She stressed that any policy on limiting plastic production must be preceded by thorough assessments of:
- What can realistically be recycled,
- Viable and scalable alternatives,
- Quantities of plastic waste destined for landfills.
This approach aligns with the resolution passed by the UN Environment Assembly (UNEA), which calls for a comprehensive understanding of the plastic life cycle as part of the global strategy to reduce pollution.
