At the third United Nations Ocean Conference (UNOC3), Egypt’s Minister of Environment Dr. Yasmine Fouad delivered a compelling call to action during a high-level session aimed at expanding innovative solutions for a plastic-free Mediterranean. The session, titled “Scaling Up Solutions for a Plastic-Free Mediterranean,” brought together top environmental officials, scientists, and policy-makers from across the region and Europe to tackle one of the most pressing environmental threats to one of the world’s most fragile marine ecosystems.
Dr. Fouad emphasized the unique civilizational and cultural ties that bind the 24 Mediterranean nations, underscoring how these commonalities—along with shared environmental challenges—form a powerful foundation for unified regional action.
“The Mediterranean is more than a sea; it is a legacy of interconnected communities,” Fouad said. “Our shared heritage must now evolve into shared responsibility.”
Nature-Based Innovation: Egypt’s Coastal Model
In her intervention, Dr. Fouad showcased Egypt’s pioneering approach to mitigating climate change effects along its vulnerable northern coasts. Among the flagship initiatives highlighted was Egypt’s nature-based solutions strategy, a homegrown innovation that utilizes locally sourced materials and community expertise to reinforce coastal resilience, particularly in Alexandria and other Mediterranean-adjacent regions.
“These solutions are cost-effective, scalable, and rooted in local knowledge,” she noted. “They reflect our broader vision for sustainable adaptation that can be replicated throughout the region.”
This model, she explained, represents Egypt’s contribution to global efforts aimed at addressing both marine plastic pollution and climate-induced sea-level rise, which increasingly threaten deltaic and low-lying coastal areas across the Mediterranean Basin.
Legislative Leadership and Public Engagement
Dr. Fouad also provided insight into Egypt’s national waste management strategy, emphasizing its inclusivity and data-driven design. Since the passing of Egypt’s first waste management law in 2020, the government has focused on banning single-use plastic bags and engaging multiple stakeholders—from lawmakers to manufacturers and civil society—to ensure long-term behavioral change.
The strategy includes:
- National consultations with Parliament and industry leaders.
- Studies on the ecological impact of plastic bags in the Red Sea and Mediterranean.
- Pilot reduction campaigns in tourist cities such as Hurghada and Sharm El-Sheikh.
- Implementation of Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR), recently endorsed by Egypt’s Cabinet and set for full enforcement.
Towards a Mediterranean Plastic Treaty
Echoing the urgency of creating a Global Plastics Treaty, Dr. Fouad pushed for stronger Mediterranean engagement in international negotiations. She called for leveraging existing regional unity to catalyze a legally binding framework that addresses plastic pollution from source to sea.
“We need a governance system that channels political momentum into integrated regional action. That means finance, technology transfer, and full stakeholder inclusion—especially women and youth.”
Her remarks resonated with leaders from France, Greece, and the European Commission, including:
- Agnès Pannier-Runacher, French Minister of Ecological Transition and Biodiversity
- Dionysia Avgerinopoulou, Greek PM’s envoy on oceans
- Barbara Pompili, French Environmental Ambassador
- Elisabetta Balzi, Director-General, European Commission’s DG for Research and Innovation
Building Innovation Networks: Circe.Med and PlasticMed Lab
The session also spotlighted Circe.med, a new Mediterranean innovation network focused on circular economy solutions and emergency marine pollution response. Of particular interest is the PlasticMed Lab, a specialized project tackling plastic waste through cross-border innovation, scalable technologies, and collaborative research.
The event featured open dialogue among participants, fostering transparent debate and the exchange of actionable ideas. Attendees identified key opportunities for cross-Mediterranean partnerships, especially between the Global North and South, to develop sustainable, low-cost plastic alternatives.
Climate Resilience Leadership
Dr. Fouad’s remarks framed Egypt not only as a vulnerable frontline nation but also as a leader in climate resilience and marine protection. As sea levels rise and plastic pollution mounts, her message was clear: without coordinated action, the Mediterranean risks losing more than biodiversity—it risks its identity.
“If we save this sea, we save a cradle of civilization,” she concluded. “And in doing so, we model the kind of planetary solidarity the world so desperately needs.”
