Minister of Tourism and Antiquities Khaled al-Anani, Minister of Local Development Mahmoud Shaarawi, and Minister of Environment Yasmin Fouad held on Wednesday a meeting at the headquarters of the National Museum of Egyptian Civilization in Fustat.
During the meeting, the latest developments in the process of converting the city of Sharm el-Sheikh to an environmentally friendly green city were discussed, in addition to discussing mechanisms for the safe disposal of waste from hotel and tourist facilities in the city.
The latest preparations for Egypt’s hosting of the 27th conference of the parties to the United Nations Convention on climate change (COP27) next November were also discussed.
Khaled al-Anani praised the huge efforts exerted by the ministries of local development and Environment and the governorate of South Sinai in working hard on the safe disposal system of waste in Egypt, especially the city of Sharm el-Sheikh to bring out the city in its best image.
He pointed out that everyone is very optimistic that the Egyptian state will show the city of peace in its finest form and will be worthy of organizing this important conference.
He also pointed to the steps taken by the Ministry of Tourism to transform the tourism sector into a green and sustainable sector, especially in the city of Sharm El-Sheikh, where so far 109 hotels, 40 dive centres and marine activities have received a certificate of green practices.
For his part, Major General Mahmoud Shaarawi confirmed that President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi and the prime minister are following up on all the latest developments related to the hosting of COP27 to ensure that Egypt is at its best image during this important international event.
The minister of Local Development pointed out that the government seeks to have a sustainable and regular waste system at the highest level of efficiency and discipline, no less than international cities in this field of waste in Sharm el-Sheikh in particular and the governorate of South Sinai in general, and to transform Sharm el-Sheikh into a sustainable green city and raise the efficiency of collection, transportation, treatment and recycling of waste.
“Shaarawy” explained that an Egyptian alliance is being contracted to work in the waste system in the governorate and provide collection and cleaning services for streets, public squares, axes, transporting waste from neighborhoods, residences, hotels, as well as beaches, safaris, and parks.
This alliance also works on environmental awareness to work in the waste system in Sharm El-Sheikh in a civilized manner that reflects the image of Egypt in front of the world during the conference and maintains Sharm el-Sheikh at the forefront of sustainable cities in the world.
For her part, Yasmin Fouad, Minister of Environment, expressed her appreciation to the Ministry of Tourism for its continuous efforts to support ecotourism and participate in the preparations for COP27 and work to integrate the environmental dimension in the tourism sector and properly exploit natural resources to achieve growth in ecotourism.
She reviewed the executive position of the waste management system in Sharm El-Sheikh as one of the axes of turning to green and preparing for the climate conference
The meeting reviewed the latest developments of the Integrated Waste Management System in the city of Sharm el Sheikh, in addition to presenting a number of infrastructure projects and proposals for the development of this system and the safe disposal of waste, in addition to stressing the necessary measures to complete the logistical procedures for COP27 according to the schedule set.
