Egypt’s Minister of Environment, Yasmine Fouad, the Ministerial Coordinator and Envoy of the COP27, signed with her Tunisian counterpart, Leila El Mahdaoui, an executive programme to enhance cooperation between the two parties in the fields of environmental protection, combating climate change and addressing biological degradation.
This came on the sidelines of the COP27 in Sharm El-Sheikh, and in implementation of the memorandum of understanding concluded between the two countries in the fields of technical cooperation and environmental protection, signed n 1999, and based on the first executive programme signed on 8 September 2015, which was extended for the years 2018-2020.
Both parties agreed to sign the second executive programme for 2023-2024, to continue cooperation in areas of common interest in the field of environmental protection.
Fouad stressed that the programme aims to support and implement environmental programmes and activities and exchange experiences between the two countries in the areas of environmental assessment of projects, studying negative effects on industrial projects, integrated coastal management and preserving the marine environment, plans and management of crises and disasters resulting from oil pollution and protection of the marine environment.
It also includes hazardous waste and solid waste, sound management of organic waste and biofuel production, ways to promote sustainable production and consumption, integrated management of natural reserves and biodiversity, integrated management of air quality and monitoring of its pollutants, and integrated management of water quality.
The programme also includes limiting the effects of climate change, ways to go to a green and circular economy, environmental legislation, training, awareness and environmental education, coordinating positions between the two countries through attendance and participation in conferences and regional and international events, environmental indicators and indicators of sustainable development, and tourism.
Fouad explained that it was agreed to form a committee between the two parties, to follow up on the implementation of the executive programme and overcome any obstacles it might face, as well as activate areas of cooperation with the aim of exchanging experiences and reviewing strategies and policies in this regard according to three stages.
