Egypt: The Minister of Environment, Yasmin Fouad, has recently participated in a video conferencing with the representatives of the World Bank and discussed the latest updates on the air pollution and climate change management project in Greater Cairo.
As per the updates, Yasmin Fouad, the Minister of Environment, held a video conference with representatives of the World Bank to discuss the current situation of the Greater Cairo Air Pollution and Climate Change Management Project, implemented by the Egyptian government in cooperation with the Bank, worth 200 million dollars, in the presence of Dr Ali Abu Sunna, Chairman of the Environmental Affairs Agency and Dr Mohamed Hassan, the project manager.
During the online meeting, the Minister praised the Bank’s continued support and cooperation with the Ministry of Environment, especially during the preparation and holding of the COP27 (Conference of Parties 27) climate conference.
In addition, Minister also discussed the support for the Africa Waste Management Initiative 2020 by 2020, while the World Bank representative reaffirmed their keenness in securing necessary support in key aspects to address challenges, identifying areas of progress and requirements for moving forward during teamwork.
“The meeting reviewed what has been achieved in the project path over the past six months of progress, challenges and emergency obstacles in different project components (solid waste management, air quality improvement, climate change, communication, awareness and community engagement), and mechanisms to accelerate the completion of the project action plan, to accelerate implementation,” said reports.
On her part, Minister Fouad highlighted the project in linking climate change and air quality to help the state move forward in this file, prepare for new messages to control the black cloud, and utilize the project in strengthening the system and infrastructure established by the Ministry of Environment in the field of air quality.
She further explained the different ways by which the projects will deliver results, such as by enhancing the collection and management of Information to help decision-makers and make Information available to citizens within the framework of the project’s goal to build a supportive climate in Egypt to reduce air pollution and counter the negative effects of climate change.
Furthermore, “The implementation of the Tenth of Ramadan Waste Management Complex within the solid waste management component of the project will be a leading model for implementation, with tender documents for the infrastructure of the Tenth Ramadan complex worth 17 million US dollars were completed”, confirmed Yasmin Fouad.
The video conferencing also ensured the presence of the latest updates on the sustainable transport component, consulting firms were gathered to “study detailed planning and design of the electric bus project”, also the communication, awareness, behaviour change and community engagement component.
“The experience of working with Qalyoubia Governorate through the Community Engagement Unit in many activities aimed at integrating the non-sector Official in the waste management system and behaviour change in sustainable transportation”, Fouad noted.
Notably, the “Greater Cairo Air Pollution and Climate Change Management Project aim to reduce the emission of air pollution and climate change in vital sectors in Greater Cairo and enhance the capacity for optimal management and counter air pollution.”
“The implementation by the Ministry of Environment in collaboration with the Ministries of International Cooperation, Planning and Economic Development, Local Development and Transport Health and population, the governorates of Cairo, Qaliubiya, Giza, and the Cairo Public Transport Authority”, concluded Minister Fouad.
