AlShimmari made his statements during a short interview with Ahram Online on the sidelines of the event Mashreq Egypt held on Tuesday to celebrate the conclusion of its environmental clean-up initiative at Wadi Degla Protectorate, a natural reserve in Egypt. 

He added that establishing partnerships with the private sector is important to meet the sustainability agendas till 2030, especially in developing countries and emerging markets, and secure this huge amount of finance.

When Ahram Online asked about the banking sector's role in supporting MENA governments' efforts to meet these goals, AlShimmari explained that the initiatives the banks launch to preserve the environment and the finances they provide play a critical role.

The Mashreq environmental clean-up initiative at Wadi Degla Protectorate is part of Mashreq's global Climb2Change initiative, which targets environmental stewardship with the world’s largest mountain clean-up operation. 

The initiative spans 14 mountains, including seven peaks and seven base camps. It aims to raise awareness and inspire action toward sustainable practices such as recycling, waste reduction, and environmental conservation. 

Wadi Degla Protectorate is a protected desert ecosystem that is home to diverse wildlife and natural resources. Despite its ecological importance, it has become increasingly vulnerable due to human impact. 

Renowned adventurers Omar Samra and Manal Rostom led the initiative in Egypt as Climb2Change ambassadors.

When they embarked on this mission in Wadi Degla Protectorate in November 2024, they were joined by employees from Mashreq Egypt and Mashreq Global Network (MGN) Egypt. 

During the mission, the team successfully removed 2.182 tons of general waste and 120 tons of construction waste.

The Climb2Change mission in the Wadi Degla Protectorate has also created a social impact, benefiting 72 local entities. 

Moreover, Mashreq's employees contributed 228 hours to conserving Wadi Degla Protectorate’s unique ecosystem.

Mashreq has also facilitated educational sessions on "leave-no-trace" principles and environmental stewardship.

Volunteers from schools, universities, and community members also joined this effort, contributing 581 hours.

“This mission is a vital component of Mashreq broader ESG strategy, where we not only focus on immediate impact but also foster long-term change by engaging our employees and local communities," Mashreq Egypt CEO Amr El-Bahey said.

"Through active hands-on participation, education, and awareness initiatives, we are empowering individuals to take responsibility for our shared environment,” he added. 

“Looking back at this journey, I am incredibly proud of what we’ve achieved together. This initiative goes beyond a clean-up — it’s a call to action for all of us to embrace sustainability and take responsibility for the environments we cherish. As an adventurer, I’ve always believed in pushing boundaries, and this project has been a powerful reminder that the biggest impact comes when we unite for a common cause,” Omar Samra highlighted.

Meanwhile, Manal Rostom said: “This initiative is a testament to the importance of taking responsibility for the places we love. Through this mission, I hope to inspire others to see the value of protecting our natural heritage and take action in their own communities. Every effort, no matter how small or big, counts towards building a more sustainable and resilient future for all.”

Building on the success of the Wadi Degla Protectorate clean-up, Mashreq plans to collaborate with local governments, environmental organizations, and waste management facilities to maintain clean environments in some of the world’s most fragile ecosystems. 

It aims to extend these efforts to new regions, with future expeditions targeting iconic peaks and ecosystems in Tibet (China) and beyond. 

This initiative is a call to action for businesses and organizations worldwide to join the movement and contribute to preserving our planet.