Egypt has won two of the 2020 Sustainability Awards granted by the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD), according to Minister of International Cooperation Rania Al-Mashat.
Egypt beat 11 other countries to the awards, given in recognition of outstanding efforts in the “Sustainable Energy” and “Gender and Inclusion” categories.
In a press statement on Sunday, the minister said that Egypt was awarded Silver and Bronze by the EBRD’s Environment and Sustainability Department. These were for public-private partnerships that made significant contributions in five fields including sustainable energy, climate resilience, environmental and social best practice, environmental and social innovation, gender and inclusion.
The Egyptian Electricity Transmission Company (EETC) won the Silver Award in the ‘Sustainable Energy’ category for its commitment to innovation. The award also recognised the company’s pioneering steps in promoting equal opportunities and ‘green skills’ for women in the country’s renewable energy sector.
The Egyptian National Railways (ENR) won the Bronze Award in the Gender and Inclusion category, for its contribution to safe transport. It was noted that this is essential for women’s economic inclusion, and enabling them to access education and essential economic opportunities.
Minister El-Mashat praised the EBRD for celebrating project achievements through the annual awards. She pointed out that they encourage its members to promote environmental and social sustainability, expand renewable energy projects, and endorse women economic empowerment supporting the implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
In 2019, the EBRD along with the Ministry of International Cooperation jointly provided the EETC with a sovereign loan of €183m. The loan was to develop a more robust electricity grid across Egypt, through the integration of 1.3 GW in renewable energy. It also aims to help reduce electricity losses, saving 77,000 tonnes of CO2 emissions annually.
The Ministry of International Cooperation is committed to closing the gender gap by ensuring each project under its portfolio has a component allocated to women, contributing to SDG No 5.
Minister Al-Mashat emphasised the EBRD’s efforts as part of the ENR’s awareness campaign combatting sexual harassment in the railway network.
