In a landmark event attended by the Governor of South Sinai and prominent international representatives, Egypt’s Minister of Environment, Dr. Yasmin Fouad, officially announced that Sharm El-Sheikh as the first Egyptian city to join the International Council for Local Environmental Initiatives (ICLEI), a global network of sustainable cities.
Dr. Fouad unveiled a dedicated website for the Green Sharm Initiative, underscoring Egypt’s commitment under President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi’s leadership to embed environmental sustainability at the core of national development, fully aligned with international standards.
“Sustainability is not only about preserving land and resources but fundamentally about empowering people. Human beings are the foundation of sustainability,” Dr. Fouad emphasized.
A Model City for Sustainable Development
The Governor of South Sinai, Major General Khaled Mubarak, highlighted ongoing efforts to transform Sharm El-Sheikh into a world-class model of sustainability and the green tourism capital of the region.
“COP27 reshaped Sharm El-Sheikh’s identity, spotlighting it as a beacon for clean energy, smart urban planning, and responsible tourism,” he noted.
Since hosting the 2022 United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP27), the city has rapidly expanded its green infrastructure with over 39 projects implemented, including:
- 800 million Egyptian pounds invested in renewable energy, producing 51 megawatts from solar power.
- Installation of 145 kilometers of cycling paths and introduction of shared-bike schemes to promote sustainable mobility.
- Initiatives for sustainable waste management engaging local communities in recycling and waste reduction.
- Launch of electric bus fleets integrated with smart, low-carbon transport systems.
Protecting Biodiversity and Empowering Communities
Dr. Fouad highlighted key projects within the city’s surrounding natural reserves, especially Ras Mohammed National Park, Egypt’s oldest marine reserve, home to over 3,000 species of marine life and coral reefs. These efforts exemplify Egypt’s holistic approach to biodiversity conservation intertwined with community development.
The Minister also reiterated that Sharm El-Sheikh follows the pioneering example of Al Kharga city in New Valley, the first Egyptian city designated a green city by the Arab League, with plans to extend such sustainable urban transformation nationwide.
Global and Local Partnerships Driving Impact
The event featured remarks by UNDP’s Deputy Resident Representative in Egypt, Mr. Guimar Diab, who praised Egypt’s leadership in the region and the fruitful cooperation among national institutions, international development partners, and the private sector.
“The Green Sharm project is a flagship example of how international collaboration, supported by innovative policies and strong local governance, can produce measurable progress in urban sustainability,” he stated.
Next Steps: Scaling Sustainability
Governor Mubarak announced that the next phase (2025–2026) will focus on implementing Sharm El-Sheikh’s Sustainable Environmental and Social Strategic Development Strategy (SESSDS), including:
- Phasing out single-use plastics in 50 hotels.
- Expanding local community empowerment, particularly in protected coastal areas.
- Strengthening partnerships with private investors and international donors, with total funding exceeding $19.7 million to date.
Finally, h e thanked all stakeholders—government bodies, international organizations, civil society, and citizens—for their collaborative efforts in driving South Sinai toward a more sustainable and prosperous future.
