Assistant Minister Inaugurates 2024 Middle East and North Africa Solar Energy Exhibition

The Assistant Minister of Planning and Economic Development for Strategic Partnerships, Excellence, and Initiatives, and the National Coordinator of the National Initiative for Smart Green Projects, inaugurated the 2024 Solar Energy and Direct Storage Exhibition for the Middle East and North Africa. The event saw the participation of representatives from relevant ministries, national bodies, the private sector, and key figures in the energy and development fields from Egypt, the Middle East, and North Africa, alongside representatives from the winning projects of the initiative's previous cycles.

In his speech, Ambassador Hisham Badr highlighted that the National Initiative for Smart Green Projects is an unprecedented global initiative, conducted under the patronage of the President, with a decision from the Prime Minister, and supervised by the Minister of Planning and Economic Development. The initiative is part of the vision of Egypt's Climate Leader, Dr. Mahmoud Mohieldin, who is also the head of the national evaluation committee for the initiative. The initiative aims to localize sustainable development goals across governorates by raising awareness on climate issues to find real solutions to climate change risks, following a bottom-up approach to ensure the engagement and empowerment of all segments of Egyptian society. It also supports digital transformation and technology use, in line with Egypt's Vision 2030.

Badr added that the initiative places special importance on promoting digital transformation and technology use while engaging all segments of Egyptian society, including empowering women and youth, the private sector, and civil society organizations through its six categories: large projects, medium projects, small local projects, start-ups, women-related projects, and non-profit community initiatives and participations.

Badr confirmed that the initiative attracted around 12,000 projects from across the country in its two cycles, providing technical and advisory support to participants. The initiative offered a blend of training courses and workshops, both in-person and virtually, to over 5,500 participants, totaling 56 training hours, supported by national and international partners and UN organizations.

Badr explained that the aim is to enhance the capacities of the participants to ensure the sustainability and income-generating ability of their projects, while also finding solutions to climate change risks or adapting to them. The initiative has resulted in a database of participating projects from all governorates to facilitate networking between projects, investors, and financial institutions, as well as a geographical map of the projects nationwide.

The National Coordinator of the Initiative pointed out that the Arab League has recognized the National Initiative for Smart Green Projects as a model to be emulated in both developing and developed countries. This recognition has solidified its institutional impact due to its ability to raise environmental awareness and create a movement within Egyptian society by involving schools and universities, promoting a culture of creativity and innovation, building participant capacities, and fostering local and international partnerships.

In closing, Ambassador Hisham Badr showcased some of the winning projects of the initiative and their success journey in attracting partnerships, noting the progress made since their victory in the initiative and their recognition at the national level by the Prime Minister and the Minister of Planning and Economic Development. He also mentioned their participation in COP28 and various local and international events.

For participation in the third cycle of the National Initiative for Smart Green Projects, please visit www.sgg.eg.