An unprecedented number of entrepreneurs participated in the II round of National Initiative for Smart Green Projects: says Planning Minister

H.E. Dr. Hala El-Said, Minister of Planning and Economic Development, said that the second edition of The National Initiative for Smart Green Projects witnessed an unprecedented turnout from entrepreneurs and owners of innovative projects that offer creative solutions to deal with the challenges of climate change and enhance efforts to transform the green economy.

This reflects the Egyptian state’s keenness to attract and encourage environmental and climate investment opportunities, environmentally friendly solutions, and adapting to and reducing the severity of climate changes in all Egyptian governorates.

El-Said’s remarks came during her speech at the launch ceremony of the National Conference for the National Initiative for Smart Green Projects in its second edition under the patronage of the President of the Republic and the presence of H.E. Dr. Mostafa Madbouly, Egypt’s Prime Minister, and several ministers and governors.

The ceremony also witnessed the presence of  Dr. Mahmoud Mohieldin, UN Climate Change High-Level Champion for Egypt, Ambassador Hisham Badr, Assistant Minister of Planning for Strategic Partnerships, Excellence and Initiatives, and the national coordinator of the initiative, MPs, representatives of international development organizations and local partner institutions.

El-Said pointed out that the national initiative for smart green projects comes within the framework of the Egyptian state’s direction to integrate environmental and climate dimensions into the state’s plans to achieve sustainable development, as it is compatible with the goals of Egypt’s Vision 2030, which represents the governing framework for all national development programs, initiatives, and projects.

Among the strategic objectives of the updated vision is the goal of reaching an “integrated and sustainable ecosystem.”

  In this context, the state seeks to transform this strategic goal into development projects on the ground by greening the investment plan and increasing the proportion of green public investments in the plan from 40% this year to 50% of the total public investments by the year 24/2025.

The objectives of the initiative are also consistent with the objectives of the National Climate Change Strategy in Egypt 2050, as the state works to link this strategy with various levels of planning and national strategies, by directing public investments to adapt and mitigate the effects of climate change.

El-Said explained indicated that about EGP 420 billion were directed to mitigate and adapt to the effects of climate change in the 2023/2024 investment plan.

El-Said asserted that the initiative is a pioneer in the field of sustainable development.

She further noted that the initiative is considered the most prominent outcome of the Egyptian presidency of (COP27), as it is one of the most successful climate action initiatives in Egypt, which has resulted in a huge number of valuable gains.

El-Said said that these gains include the uniqueness of the initiative in contributing to spreading awareness of the importance of confronting the dangers of climate change, through holding many awareness sessions and training courses.

  The initiative also worked to intensify efforts to adapt to climate change using information technology applications and digital transformation mechanisms.

It moreover contributed to enhancing the interaction of governorates and localities with issues of the environmental dimension of development, as an interactive map was developed at the governorate level for smart green projects, according to El-Said.

She further added that the gains of the second cycle of the initiative include creating a state of harmony and effective coordination between the various ministries and national partner bodies, which has strengthened efforts to push for more comprehensive climate initiatives.

El-Said also indicated that among the gains is the success in building successful and fruitful partnerships with the nation’s partners from the private sector and civil society, as well as international development partners.

Dr. Hala El-Said said that these gains were embodied on the ground in the widespread demand for participation in this initiative, as about 5,600 projects were submitted for participation in the second session.

In the context of ensuring the sustainability of the efforts made for green transformation and continuing the successes achieved in this field, El-Said asserted that the National Conference of the National Initiative for Smart Green Projects last year witnessed the launch of the “Green Village” initiative, which aims to rehabilitate the villages of the Presidential Initiative “Decent Life” to comply with the latest global environmental standards.