World Earth Day, which falls on 22 April every year, is the world's most significant environmental movement.
The event was first launched in 1970 after three million gallons of oil spilt off the coast of California the year before.
To mark the 55th anniversary of Earth Day, the Egyptian Ministry of Environment announced a series of activities to commemorate the 2025 event.
“Egypt’s participation in World Earth Day reflects its commitment to raising environmental awareness and strengthening global initiatives to protect the planet from environmental degradation and climate change,” the ministry stated.
It also detailed plans to host a variety of seminars and technical workshops at schools, universities, and cultural centres, and launch clean-up campaigns and tree-planting drives.
These initiatives promote environmental awareness and foster sustainable practices throughout society.
Minister of Environment Yasmine Fouad emphasized that Earth Day is a reminder that environmental protection is a shared responsibility that requires the collective efforts of the government, civil society, the private sector, and citizens.
"Egypt’s participation in this global environmental event comes within the framework of Cairo’s commitment to international efforts aimed at environmental protection and achieving sustainable development," Fouad said.
She pointed out that Egypt has made notable strides in expanding its use of clean electricity through support for solar and wind energy projects, most notably the Benban solar power park in Aswan, which is among the largest solar energy complexes in the world.
Egypt developed Benban as a major national project under the strategy set by the New and Renewable Energy Authority (NREA).
This strategy aimed to produce 22 percent of the country’s electricity from clean sources by 2022, to increase the share of renewable energy in the electricity mix to 42 percent by 2035.
Moreover, Fouad noted that the environment ministry is working closely with relevant authorities to integrate environmental considerations into national energy policies and to encourage private sector investment in clean energy.
These efforts are designed to help reduce emissions, improve air quality, and strike a balance between economic growth and environmental protection.
As part of Egypt’s shift toward a green economy, Fouad explained that the ministry places great importance on developing energy-from-waste technologies, viewing them as one of the sustainable solutions for effective waste management and alternative energy generation.
She also referenced several recent environmental achievements by Egypt, highlighting the country’s ongoing implementation of the National Climate Change Strategy 2050. This strategy aims to reduce emissions, strengthen climate resilience, and promote sustainable economic growth, with special attention to vulnerable populations most affected by climate change.
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