The meeting, held as part of her review of the ministry's files, included officials from the Egyptian Environmental Affairs Agency (EEAA) and key project leaders. Among those in attendance were EEAA CEO Dr. Ali Abu Sena, Assistant Minister for Climate Policies Engineer Sherif Abdel Rahim, Green Sharm Project Manager Engineer Mohamed Eliwa, and other specialists.
Dr. Awad, who is also Minister of Local Development,
stressed the importance of the project, which she said serves as an umbrella
for various environmental and development initiatives in the city. These
include improving energy efficiency, waste management, and promoting
eco-tourism and sustainable transportation to establish Sharm El Sheikh as a
leading model for green tourism and sustainable urban development in Egypt.
During the meeting, Abu Sena outlined the project’s main
goals, which focus on expanding the use of renewable energy, particularly solar
power, and implementing advanced energy efficiency solutions, especially in
hotels. He also mentioned a focus on effective waste management, introducing
new technologies, and developing a model waste plan.
The project also aims to promote green transportation,
improve the efficiency of desalination and wastewater treatment plants, and
conserve biodiversity to protect Sharm El Sheikh’s natural resources.
Eliwa provided an overview of the project's progress,
highlighting a number of key achievements. He noted that the project has
completed several studies and strategies, including a baseline study for Sharm
El Sheikh, an analysis of investment opportunities, and a sustainable
development strategy for the city. It has also prepared strategic environmental
assessments for the Nabq, Ras Muhammad, and Abu Galum protectorates and
developed a local biodiversity strategy and action plan.
The project recently launched two mobile applications:
Eco-Monitor, which collects data on marine life in the Red Sea in cooperation
with the Egyptian Chamber of Diving and Water Sports, and the E-Permitting
electronic permit system.
Eliwa added that the project has provided technical support
and reviews for over 50 hotels to help them with environmental management systems,
covering cooling, energy, and waste. It has also installed 900 solar-powered
streetlights and helped 12 hotels install solar panels.
The project has also supported the local community by
providing training in handicrafts and other economic empowerment activities. It
has also trained new employees in South Sinai’s nature conservation sector and
hotel staff on sustainable environmental management.
Awad directed officials to activate a single-use plastic bag
reduction initiative, provide technical support, and offer alternative
products. She also called for finalizing investment plans for the city's
protectorates to make them available as soon as possible.
The Green Sharm project is implemented by the EEAA in partnership with the South Sinai Governorate and in cooperation with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), with funding from the Global Environment Facility (GEF). It focuses on reducing carbon emissions and preserving the city's natural resources.