Egypt’s Minister of Environment, Dr. Yasmine Fouad, recently participated in a preparatory seminar for World Environment Day 2025, focusing on the theme, “What’s Next After COP29? Correcting the Path of Climate Action.” The event was organized by the Egyptian Engineers Syndicate in collaboration with the Arab Engineers Union and the Federal Environmental Committee.
The seminar, held in Cairo, was attended by key figures including Dr. Adel Al-Hadithi, Secretary General of the Arab Engineers Union, Eng. Tarek El-Nabrawy, Head of the Egyptian Engineers Syndicate, and Dr. Tawfiq Al-Qarqouri, Head of the Federal Environmental Committee. The event highlighted Egypt’s commitment to creating a sustainable ecosystem by prioritizing natural resource management, reducing emissions, promoting the green economy, and adopting strategies for air quality improvement and pollution reduction.
A National Commitment to Climate Action
During the seminar, Dr. Yasmine Fouad emphasized Egypt’s strong focus on climate change, highlighting its integration into the country’s core government priorities. As part of this effort, Egypt has established the National Climate Change Council, led by the Prime Minister, and developed the 2050 National Climate Change Strategy. This strategy links climate action to sustainable economic growth, governance, finance, and scientific research.
Fouad outlined Egypt’s approach to adaptation, particularly in key sectors such as agriculture, water resources, coastal areas, and health. Currently, Egypt is drafting a national adaptation plan, focusing on integrating national human and institutional capabilities into adaptation strategies, assessing climate risks, and identifying projects needed for each sector to adapt to climate impacts.
Strengthening Governance and Mitigating Emissions
Dr. Fouad further discussed the importance of climate governance in Egypt, stressing the role of clear responsibilities and national plans with defined objectives, such as the Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs). These efforts include achieving 42% renewable energy in the national energy mix by 2030, promoting public transportation through an integrated road network, and reducing emissions in the waste sector by establishing a comprehensive infrastructure and supporting private sector contracts for waste management.
She also highlighted two critical areas of focus for Egypt’s Ministry of Environment: weather forecasting and early warning systems. The ministry is developing an interactive climate change map using mathematical models and historical data from the Egyptian Meteorological Authority and the Ministry of Water Resources and Irrigation. These systems aim to predict the impacts of climate change on different regions in Egypt. Additionally, Egypt is working with the Ministry of Planning to create funding packages for various projects.
Key Outcomes from COP29
The minister outlined significant decisions from the recent COP29 conference, including a commitment to triple climate finance to developing countries, reaching $300 billion by 2035. The conference also agreed on the creation of a centralized carbon market under the United Nations, benefiting developing nations through carbon credit trading. Other key agreements included the launch of the “Baku Roadmap for Adaptation,” a pledge to mobilize $300 million for the Adaptation Fund in 2024, and the operationalization of the Loss and Damage Fund, which emerged from COP27 in Egypt.
Dr. Fouad underscored Egypt’s important role in global climate negotiations, particularly in Arab, African, and Group of 77 (G77) forums, and its leadership in facilitating climate finance consultations. Since 2019, Egypt has played a central role in facilitating ministerial-level discussions on climate finance, advocating for the interests of developing and African nations.
Collaboration with Arab Engineers Union
Engineer Tarek El-Nabrawy, Head of the Egyptian Engineers Syndicate, highlighted the significance of climate change as a global environmental issue. He underscored the importance of collaboration between the Egyptian Engineers Syndicate, the Arab Engineers Union, and the Ministry of Environment in addressing this critical challenge, given the availability of expertise in the field.
Dr. Adel Al-Hadithi, Secretary General of the Arab Engineers Union, also acknowledged the growing intersection of environmental and engineering fields, noting that the union is keen to involve environmental ministers in enhancing Arab participation in global climate action.
This seminar marks another step in Egypt’s leadership role in global climate discussions, building momentum toward COP30 and reinforcing its commitment to a sustainable, green future.
