Egypt’s Minister of Environment Yasmine Fouad has met with the World Bank mission to discuss the results of its visit to follow up on the Greater Cairo Air Pollution and Climate Change Management project, the country’s environmental analysis report, and the activities of the Bank’s Blue Economy Fund, Problue Fund.
Fouad expressed her appreciation for the continuous support of the World Bank to the environment sector in Egypt, especially during the preparations for the COP27 and after holding the conference.
The meeting dealt with discussing the current status of the implementation of the first component of the Greater Cairo air pollution management project and climate change and the meaning of air pollution, the progress made in the work plan to come up with it and the completion of the necessary studies, and the part of consultants for component projects, with an emphasis on the use of a mixture of international and national consultants.
During the meeting, the Minister of Environment directed the necessity of benefiting from the partnership with the WB in implementing the Greater Cairo Air Pollution and Climate Change Project in exchanging experiences, knowledge and consultation to develop a vision about a different methodology for dealing with the black cloud this year.
The minister also discussed with the mission the latest developments in the second component concerned with waste management, the results of the mission’s visit to a waste management site and cooperation to overcome challenges by continuous follow-up and taking the necessary measures on a timely basis.
The meeting also addressed the current position for implementing the integrated waste management complex in 10th of Ramadan city and its role in supporting the waste management system in Greater Cairo, and mechanisms for accelerating implementation steps.
They also discussed the current position of the third component concerned with sustainable transport, the Public Transport Authority project, the expansion of electric buses, the activities of the communication, media and awareness component, the integration of the informal sector, and work to change negative behaviors in the field of waste and air pollution.
During the meeting, Fouad reviewed the draft of the country’s environmental analysis report, and the observations of the work teams of the ministry and the bank on it, to reach consensus in preparation for its ratification.
The WB representatives indicated the preparation for a consultative workshop with various partners on the report in preparation for its ratification.
Moreover, the meeting also discussed with the mission the proposed activities of the PROBLUE trust Fund, which is a multi-donor trust fund managed by the WB to help countries chart a path towards the blue economy approach.
Representatives of the mission indicated the importance of formulating joint activities in the field of blue economy to complement cooperation in the field of blue economy and plastic pollution in the marine environment.
