As part of Egypt’s celebration of World Environment Day under the theme “Overcoming Plastic Pollution”, the Ministry of Environment launched the national campaign Qallelha (Reduce) to raise awareness about the dangers of single-use plastic bags.
At the event, Minister of Environment Yasmine Fouad reviewed Egypt’s efforts to decrease the use of plastic in recent years, including the launch of the National Strategy to Reduce Single-Use Plastic Bags, which established the necessary standards for their use while ensuring a just green transition, given the extensive number of producers and consumers of single-use plastic bags.
The event, held under the name “Green Industry”, was organised in collaboration with the Environmental Compliance and Sustainable Development Office of the Federation of Egyptian Industries.
The world is heading towards reducing plastic use, Fouad said, and that the Ministry of Environment is in talks with the industrial sector to reach agreement on the issue, especially in light of the anticipated adoption of a binding international agreement to curb plastic pollution. Several countries, including European Union member states, have introduced fines on plastic use, and others such as Kenya and Rwanda, have enacted full bans, she added.
Fumio Iwai, ambassador of Japan to Cairo, stated that the campaign is designed to enhance capacity building, provide technical support to small and medium-sized enterprises, and raise public awareness to curb excessive plastic consumption. Japan wishes to see Egypt as a regional hub for environmental sustainability in Africa, Iwai said, noting that the campaign is intended to serve as a model for sustainable communities in Africa.
Patrick Gilbert, UNIDO regional representative in Egypt, said the organisation is supporting Egypt through 23 projects aimed at advancing environmental sustainability, with a total value of $3.5 billion. Gilbert added that future projects, worth $4.6 billion, are also underway in support of Egypt’s Vision 2030.
Fouad announced that the Red Sea resort city of Sharm El-Sheikh has been recognised as the “first Egyptian green city” in the International Council for Local Environmental Initiatives (ICLEI) network of sustainable parties. She spoke about the city’s commitment to diverse environmental initiatives, including LE800 million in investments in new and renewable energy, with a production capacity of 51 megawatts, and the construction of 145 km of bicycle paths.
Khaled Mubarak, governor of South Sinai, noted that the Sharm El-Sheikh Green Strategy in 2025-26 will focus on banning single-use plastics in 50 hotels, empowering community-led environmental initiatives, particularly in protected and coastal areas, and expanding collaboration with the private sector and international donors. Funding for the plan has thus far reached $19.7 million, Mubarak added.
* A version of this article appears in print in the 5 June, 2025 edition of Al-Ahram Weekly
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