Giza: EgyPulse – News Desk
Dr. Manal Awad, Minister of Local Development and Acting Minister of Environment, chaired the 22nd meeting of the Board of Directors of the Environmental Protection Fund (EPF), to follow up on a number of topics related to enhancing the Fund’s role in supporting and protecting the environment, including the support provided for the preparations and arrangements for Egypt to host the 24th Conference of the Parties to the Convention for the Protection of the Mediterranean Environment against Pollution (Barcelona Convention).
The meeting was attended by Dr. Ali Abu Senna, CEO of the Egyptian Environmental Affairs Agency, Dr. Talaat Abdel Qawi, Chairman of the General Union of Civil Society Organizations and Associations, Dr. Walid Rashad, Head of the Financial and Administrative Affairs Sector, Dr. Mohamed Salah, Assistant Minister for Legal Affairs, Dr. Iman Atef, Head of the Environmental Quality Sector, Mr. Tarek Bassiouni, Advisor to the Minister for Financial Affairs, and representatives from the Ministries of Finance, Interior, International Cooperation, Planning and Economic Development, and the Fund’s working team at the Ministry, at the Ministry of Environment headquarters in the New Administrative Capital.
Dr. Manal Awad explained that the meeting began with approval of the agenda, ratification of the minutes of the previous meeting, and follow-up on the decisions of the twenty-first meeting regarding the approval of the Environmental Protection Fund’s contribution and grant to the Industrial Pollution Control Program and the National Solid Waste Management Program.
Dr. Manal Awad explained that the meeting reviewed the support provided by the Environmental Protection Fund for the preparations and arrangements for Egypt’s hosting of the 24th Conference of the Parties to the Convention for the Protection of the Mediterranean Environment against Pollution (Barcelona Convention). Cairo will host the Conference of the Parties from December 2 to 5, with the participation of 22 countries. Egypt will assume the presidency of the Convention for a two-year period.
Dr. Manal Awad pointed to the need to develop a media plan for the conference to promote it across all media outlets and highlight the conference’s issues and topics. She directed the formation of a logistical and financial committee within the ministry to oversee the implementation of the conference’s activities and define the responsibilities of all participating ministries.
The Minister of Local Development and Acting Minister of Environment affirmed Egypt’s aspiration to host a successful Conference of the Parties that will advance the provisions of the Barcelona Convention. She emphasized the state’s commitment to working diligently to prepare for the conference’s activities, both substantive and organizational, in a manner that reflects Egypt’s standing and its regional and international leadership, highlighting Cairo’s role in managing coastal areas and preserving coastal and marine resources.
During the meeting, Dr. Manal Awad directed the formation of a committee to amend the fund’s bylaws to regulate the disbursements and financing provided by the fund for environmental protection projects. She noted the need for the fund’s board of directors to hold a quarterly meeting to present the fund’s budget and any new work to the members as soon as possible.
