Mahmoud Mohieldin, UN climate change high-level champion and UN special envoy on financing the 2030 Sustainable Development Agenda said the National Initiative for Smart Green Projects represents a strong addition to Egypt’s economic and development efforts.
Mohieldin commented during a preparatory meeting for the initiative’s second edition. The meeting was attended by Ambassador Hisham Badr, general coordinator of the initiative; Hisham El-Helbawy, assistant minister of local development and director of the Local Development Programme in Upper Egypt; and Khaled Mostafa, the permanent deputy at the Ministry of Planning and Economic Development, according to the “Ahram online” website.
The meeting discussed proposals for the second edition’s timeline, expanding participation by different sectors and community groups, and training and qualifying entrepreneurs – whether directly involved in the initiative’s competitions or not – to provide a strong boost to development action and economic activity at the local level.
Mohieldin said there is significant momentum behind the second edition after the success of its first edition last year.
He explained that this year’s edition is seeing expanded participation from public and private universities, professional unions, chambers of commerce, banks, and cooperatives, in addition to women, youth, startups, and disabled people.
Mohieldin noted there is great interest from regional and international organizations, including United Nations agencies, in cooperating with Egypt on the initiative. They are also interested in replicating the initiative regionally and globally, in line with Egypt’s efforts to promote the initiative internationally.
The initiative aims to localize development and climate action in all Egyptian villages and cities, map investments at the governorate level, increase local awareness of sustainable development, climate change, and the transition to a green economy, and involve all local actors in development and climate action.
The competition spans six categories of projects, including large projects, medium projects, and small local projects especially related to the Decent Life presidential initiative; startup projects; development projects related to women, climate change, and sustainability; and non-profit community initiatives.
