European Bank for Reconstruction and Development Launches Green Cities Action Plan in Cairo Governorate

Within the framework of the Bank's Country Strategy in Egypt…

 

European Bank for Reconstruction and Development Launches Green Cities Action Plan in Cairo Governorate

 

 

 

Dr. Rania Al-Mashat:

 

The Green Cities Program promotes the state's orientation towards sustainable development through the expansion of green projects.

 

Increase in the proportion of green projects to 55% of the total public investments in the economic and social development plan for the year 2025/2026.

 

 

The Green Cities Action Plan in Cairo Governorate includes 13 projects in the sectors of transportation, energy efficiency, waste recycling, water management, and other priority areas.

 

 

 

In order to promote endeavors towards the transition to a green and sustainable economy in Egypt and implement the Green Cities Program, which comes within the framework of cooperation between the Ministry of Planning, Economic Development and International Cooperation and the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD), the EBRD, in cooperation with the government, has launched the Green Cities Action Plan in Cairo Governorate.

 

This comes within the framework of the close relations between the Arab Republic of Egypt and EBRD, one of the largest multilateral European development banks, and in implementation of the joint strategy with the Bank for the period 2022-2027.

 

The action plan of the Green Cities Program for Cairo Governorate focuses on several sectors, foremost of which are transportation and traffic, through the use of electric vehicles in public transportation, sustainable transportation systems in neighborhoods, and managing the demand for private car use.

 

Within this framework, 13 projects will be implemented, including the Badr Electric Bus Station and the Helwan residential area development project, in addition to the construction and demolition waste recycling project, improving energy efficiency in local government buildings, the solid waste management project, and enhancing the efficiency of industrial operations.

 

These projects contribute to supporting the transition to a low-carbon green future and helping these cities become more resilient to climate change.

 

In this context, H.E. Dr. Rania A. Al-Mashat, Minister of Planning, Economic Development and International Cooperation and Egypt's Governor at the EBRD, reaffirmed that the collaboration with the Bank in implementing the Green Cities Program reflects the close cooperation between the two sides and strengthens the international partnerships of the Arab Republic of Egypt in the field of transition to a green economy and the implementation of the National Climate Change Strategy 2050 and the Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs).

 

 She pointed out that the plan includes many pioneering projects in various fields that will be worked on, and investments and financing will be mobilized for their implementation.

 

H.E. Dr. Al-Mashat highlighted the projects of the Ministry of Planning, Economic Development and International Cooperation that elevate the transition to green, inclusive, and sustainable growth, represented in the National Initiative for Smart Green Projects, which is an essential part of the national commitments. It comes as part of a comprehensive strategy aimed at achieving sustainable development in Egypt, in addition to the "NWFE" (Nexus on Water, Food and Energy) program.

 

H.E. Minister Al-Mashat emphasized that through the successful integration of public and private partnerships, local financing, and international cooperation, Egypt has made significant strides in enhancing the energy issue in the country, attracting investments, and working towards achieving ambitious renewable energy goals.

 

H.E. Dr. Al-Mashat affirmed that the Cairo Green City Action Plan provides an opportunity to align the long-term development goals of the governorate with the ambitious green growth agenda. It also provides a roadmap for long-term investments that will generate benefits across multiple sectors.

 

H.E. Dr. Al-Mashat noted that these efforts are reflected in the state's endeavor to increase green investment projects and expand the transition to a green economy, as the proportion of green projects in public investments amounts to 50% in the current fiscal year's plan 2024/2025, and it is targeted to increase to 55% in the next fiscal year's plan 2025/2026.

 

H.E. Minister Al-Mashat pointed out that Egypt in recent years has become a leader in the transition towards a green economy, as it has shown a strong commitment to sustainable development, climate resilience, and achieving its goals in Vision 2030.

 

She underscored Egypt's implementation of comprehensive strategies aimed at reducing carbon emissions, increasing the country's capacity to use renewable energy, and presenting itself as a regional hub for the transition towards a green economy.

 

H.E. Dr. Al-Mashat reiterated that international cooperation is an essential part of Egypt's success in promoting its green energy agenda, explaining that partnerships between the Egyptian government, the private sector, international organizations, and civil society are crucial for mobilizing resources, transferring technology, and increasing renewable energy projects.

She highlighted Egypt's role in coordinating the roles of various stakeholders to ensure that every entity, whether public or private, civil society or international, plays an effective and fundamental role in driving the transition towards green energy.

 

Cairo Governorate is the third Egyptian city to be included in the program and one of the largest projects of the Green Cities Action Plan currently being implemented, alongside 6th of October City and Alexandria Governorate.

 

The EBRD launched the Green Cities Program in late 2016 to support cities in transitioning to a low-carbon and more resilient green future. This is achieved by helping cities identify their most pressing environmental priorities and address them through targeted investments, actions, and public policies. To date, the program includes 50 cities worldwide, including three cities in Egypt: Cairo, Alexandria, and 6th of October.