Weekly News Brief SNE
25th of May 2025
Egypt, Canada strengthen environmental cooperation with focus on green transition, climate action
16th of May 2025
Egypt's Environment Minister Yasmine Fouad met with Canadian Ambassador Louis Dumas to discuss ongoing and future environmental cooperation at both national and multilateral levels. The meeting emphasized Canada’s early support in building Egypt’s environmental data capabilities and praised joint efforts at COP15, COP27, and COP28, particularly in establishing a global biodiversity framework and advancing climate finance. Fouad shared Egypt’s vision to become a regional green energy hub, especially in hydrogen and renewables, and highlighted inclusive green transition efforts involving youth, women, and civil society. Initiatives like “Eco Egypt,” plastic pollution regulations, and environmental education reforms were presented, with both sides expressing interest in further collaboration in areas such as smart agriculture, technical education, and sustainability-focused research.
Transforming waste into value: Used beverage cartons recycling in Egypt by Tetra Pak and Uniboard
18th of may 2025
In 2024, Tetra Pak and Uniboard inaugurated Egypt’s first recycling production line for used beverage cartons (UBCs), investing €2.5 million to process up to 8,000 tons annually, with Uniboard serving as the country’s sole UBC recycler. Within a few months, 2,500 tons were already collected, signaling strong momentum. The facility, equipped with advanced separation technology, aims to foster a circular economy by expanding collection through both formal and informal sectors. Tetra Pak is also exploring PolyAl recycling for manufacturing items like strapping bands and continues global efforts with €140 million annually invested in recycling and sustainable packaging R&D. This partnership marks a foundational step toward broader environmental initiatives in Egypt and the region.
Egypt, UK, and Brazil launch global dialogue linking health, climate ahead of COP30
19th of May 2025
Egypt’s Ministry of Health and Population will host a high-level roundtable in Geneva, titled “Strengthening Health and Climate Discussions,” alongside the UK and Brazil during the 78th World Health Assembly. The event aims to integrate health into climate policy discussions, continuing momentum from COP27 and paving the way for COP30 in Brazil. With participation from senior officials and the Paco Continuity Alliance, the session will present an action plan to enhance climate resilience at both national and global levels. The dialogue emphasizes shifting from planning to implementation, embedding health and nutrition into climate strategies, and promoting equitable, coordinated global efforts to strengthen health systems against climate-related risks.
These trees exist in only one place on Earth. Now climate change and goats threaten their survival
19th of May 2025
On Yemen’s remote island of Socotra, the iconic dragon’s blood tree—vital to the island’s unique ecosystem—is facing extinction due to increasingly intense cyclones driven by climate change, overgrazing by invasive goats, and the destabilizing effects of Yemen’s ongoing civil war. Local efforts, like those by Sena Keybani’s family-run nursery, are working to protect the slow-growing saplings, but lack sufficient resources and support. Without urgent intervention and broader conservation efforts, scientists warn that the loss of these trees could trigger the collapse of Socotra’s fragile biodiversity and threaten the island’s ecotourism-based economy.
Egypt’s Environment Minister urges stronger public-private partnerships for Arab green transition
19th of May 2025
At the Arab Sustainability Expo in Cairo, Egypt’s Environment Minister Yasmine Fouad called for stronger public-private collaboration across the Arab world to advance a green economy and address critical issues like food and water security, despite ongoing regional conflicts. Highlighting Egypt’s approach, she emphasized aligning environmental goals with economic incentives, citing policy reforms, climate finance mobilization, and regulatory success in renewable energy. Fouad also showcased Egypt’s national climate strategy and investment platforms that aim to attract green investment and enhance resilience across key sectors. The expo brought together leaders and stakeholders to drive regional progress on the UN Sustainable Development Goals.
Egypt’s Environment Minister urges stronger public-private partnerships for Arab green transition
19th of May 2025
Egypt’s Environment Minister Yasmine Fouad urged stronger collaboration between governments and the private sector across the Arab world to accelerate the green economy transition, emphasizing that ongoing conflicts must not overshadow critical sustainability challenges like food and water security. Speaking at the Arab Sustainability Expo in Cairo, Fouad highlighted the integration of environmental, social, and economic dimensions of sustainability and stressed aligning environmental goals with economic incentives to attract private investment. She cited Egypt’s updated investment law targeting renewable energy, green hydrogen, waste management, and alternatives to single-use plastics, and praised the country’s success in mobilizing $470 million in climate finance. Egypt has established an Environmental and Climate Investment Unit and a national climate investment platform to coordinate funding and projects, supported by a national climate strategy to 2050 focused on energy, water, and agriculture resilience. The Expo serves as a key regional platform for advancing sustainable development with participation from Arab ministers, financial institutions, and leading companies.
The lowdown on the emerging beverage carton recycling sector
20st of May 2025
Egypt’s used beverage carton (UBC) recycling sector is rapidly advancing through a new consortium involving SIG Group, Carta Misr, Plastic Bank, TileGreen, and GIZ, which launched a comprehensive recycling initiative in early 2024 targeting 700 metric tons by 2026. The project covers collection—managed door-to-door by Plastic Bank—recycling of paper fibers by Carta Misr, and repurposing of polymer-aluminum materials into construction products by TileGreen, reducing carbon emissions by over 67%. Supported by a blockchain-secured app providing digital incentives and social benefits, the initiative has boosted public awareness, especially among younger generations, and improved digital adoption. Egypt’s first dedicated UBC recycling plant opened in 2023, reflecting growing industry efforts, but experts stress that stronger government incentives and wider corporate engagement are essential to scale the sector from isolated projects to a sustainable circular economy.
The next MENA frontier: Media efficiency to carbon accountability
20st of May 2025
As climate urgency and digital transformation converge, sustainable digital media is becoming a strategic imperative in the MENA region, where rising digital consumption meets growing sustainability commitments. With regulations like the UAE’s Carbon Accountability Law and Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 emphasizing environmental transparency, brands are rethinking media strategies to align performance with carbon reduction. Companies like Conscious Media are leading this shift by integrating tools like the Global Media Sustainability Framework (GMSF) and partnering with tech innovators such as Greenbids and SeenThis to drive both media efficiency and measurable carbon impact. As better measurement standards emerge—such as the updated GMSF set to debut at Cannes Lions—sustainable media is transitioning from CSR rhetoric to a core business advantage, positioning MENA as a potential global leader in carbon-conscious media planning and execution.
Egypt launches regional forum to accelerate climate finance in Africa
21st of May 2025
Egypt launched the “Africa Grows Green for Climate Finance” forum in its New Administrative Capital, bringing together government leaders, international organizations, and financial institutions to advance climate finance across Africa. The forum emphasized the need for new development models and greater private sector involvement, highlighting Egypt’s green transport projects and updated financial regulations supporting green bonds and carbon trading. Key officials, including ministers of environment, finance, and transport, underscored efforts to attract private capital, integrate climate risk in banking, and close Africa’s climate finance gap—despite the continent receiving just 3% of global climate funds. Building on Egypt’s COP27 legacy, the forum aims to foster collaboration, mobilize investment, and empower SMEs to access green finance across three thematic sessions, culminating in a regional call to action.
Ms. Yasmine Fouad of Egypt - Executive Secretary of the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification
22nd of May 2025
United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres has appointed Egypt’s Environment Minister Yasmine Fouad as the next Executive Secretary of the UN Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD), succeeding Ibrahim Thiaw. With over 25 years of experience in environmental governance and diplomacy, Fouad has been a key figure in global climate and biodiversity negotiations, including serving as President of CBD COP 14 and UNFCCC COP 27 Envoy. She has led major initiatives on adaptation, food security, and nature-based solutions, and played a vital role in advancing climate finance and sustainable development both globally and across Africa. Fouad holds a Ph.D. in Euro-Mediterranean Studies and an M.Sc. in Environmental Science, and is recognized for her expertise in institutional reform and multilateral environmental cooperation.
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Preserving Egypt’s biodiversity: A legacy for future generations
22nd of May 2025
On this International Day for Biological Diversity themed “Harmony with Nature and Sustainable Development,” Egypt celebrates its unique and rich biodiversity, spanning from the Nile and Red Sea reefs to desert ecosystems, which are deeply linked to its culture, economy, and resilience. Despite this natural wealth, Egypt faces significant challenges including habitat loss, pollution, and climate change impacts. Through strong partnerships—especially with UNDP, the Government of Italy, and the Global Environment Facility—Egypt has designated 17% of its land as protected areas and implemented community-based conservation projects that support sustainable livelihoods. Guided by the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework and Egypt’s National Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan, efforts focus on mainstreaming biodiversity into development sectors, securing sustainable financing, building capacity, and raising public awareness. By empowering local communities and integrating traditional knowledge, Egypt aims to protect its ecosystems, promote eco-tourism, and foster resilience, underscoring biodiversity as essential for national prosperity and global sustainability.
Egypt possesses 30 natural reserves on 15% of its land area: Environment Minister
22nd of May 2025
On the International Day for Biological Diversity, Egyptian Minister of Environment Yasmine Fouad highlighted that Egypt has established 30 natural reserves covering 15% of its land, with 13 developed for ecotourism activities like diving and mountaineering. Several reserves, including Wadi El-Hitan and Ras Mohammed, are recognized on the IUCN Green List, reflecting Egypt’s commitment to biodiversity conservation and its leadership in the global goal to protect 30% of land and sea by 2030, aligned with its National Biodiversity Plan. Recently, Fouad met with UNESCO officials to enhance cooperation on the Man and the Biosphere Programme, aiming to conserve natural and cultural diversity while supporting the Sustainable Development Goals. Egypt has also improved reserve infrastructure and appointed 93 trained environmental supervisors, fostering private sector investment to boost ecotourism and sustainable development within these protected areas.
Upcoming Events:
International Events
78th World Health Assembly, 19–27 May 2025, Geneva, Switzerland, More Info
Sixth Global Climate and SDG Synergy Conference, 27–28 May 2025, Copenhagen, Denmark, More Info
Resumed 2nd Session of the UN-Habitat Assembly, 29–30 May 2025, Nairobi, Kenya, More Info
69th Meeting of the GEF Council, 2–6 June 2025, Washington, DC, United States of America, More Info
Blue Economy and Finance Forum 2025, 7–8 June 2025, Nice, Provence-Alpes-Cote D'Azur, France, More Info
Third UN Ocean Conference, 9–13 June 2025, Nice, Provence-Alpes-Cote D'Azur, France, More Info