Minister of Environment Yasmine Fouad reviewed the government’s policies towards promoting a circular economy in order to achieve optimum utilization of natural resources and reduce the possibilities of waste, during a plenary session of the Senate.
She stressed that the vision of the Ministry of Environment to achieve sustainable development and a circular green economy is based on making the environmental dimension a main focus in all development and economic sectors in a way that achieves the security of natural resources, fair use, optimal exploitation and investment in them, in a way that guarantees the rights of future generations in them and works to diversify the sources of resources and economic activities.
Fouad noted that this should be achieved by 3 goals, which are reducing air pollution loads and pollution resulting from untreated waste, and rational and sustainable management natural resource assets to support the economy, increase competitiveness and create new job opportunities, rationalizing the use of natural resources and finding non-traditional alternatives to them to ensure their sustainability.
The Minister of Environment reviewed models of a number of national projects that achieve the principle of a circular economy, such as national projects to confront climate changes, including the implementation of the Decent Life initiative as a model for mitigation and adaptation projects to the effects of climate change through the delivery of natural gas, afforestation, waste management, lining canals and sewage treatment plants, as well as mitigation projects for the effects of climate change are underpinning the circular economy.
Fouad added that the Ministry of Environment is working to integrate the concept of green investment and circularity with tourism by opening the field of green investment and circularity in the tourism operating sector using new and renewable energy, waste recycling, water desalination and waste treatment, in addition to providing institutional support through the first campaign to promote environmental tourism “Eco Egypt”.
She further pointed to the issuance of a decision to determine and price the practice of activities in reserves, and resolution 202 of 2019 regarding raising reserves fees, preparing a guide for eco-lodges, supporting the Ministry of Tourism to include an eco-tourism product in its policy and campaign, and creating economic activities in the field of eco-tourism to support local communities in reserves, and the establishment of the first civil association for tourism and sustainable development in Egypt.
The minister also pointed out that investment opportunities are being offered to provide tourism services in natural reserves through the private sector.
