Cairo: Minister of Local Development and Environment Dr. Manal Awad met with Dr. Mohammed Ali Qurban, CEO of the National Center for Wildlife Development, at the Ministry's headquarters to discuss cooperative efforts in environmental management.

According to State Information Service Egypt, the meeting concentrated on fostering partnerships and exchanging expertise in managing nature reserves. Discussions highlighted the Saudi conservation experience, focusing on developing monitoring and research mechanisms and promoting the blue economy to enhance environmental sustainability on national and regional levels. The meeting was attended by leaders from both the Ministry and the National Center.

Dr. Manal Awad welcomed the Saudi delegation, emphasizing the strong relations between Egypt and Saudi Arabia. She stressed the significance of Arab cooperation in the environmental sector, highlighting Egypt's commitment to expanding partnerships with other nations to achieve sustainable development goals and protect natural resources.

The discussions included several initiatives, notably the Saudi Green Initiative, which aims to expand terrestrial and marine protected areas. Additionally, the Red Sea Exploration Decade (RSDE) was reviewed, showcasing scientific programs and technologies used to survey biodiversity. This initiative mapped approximately 70,000 km² of the Red Sea, conducted 133 ROV trips, and collected over 2,400 biological samples, contributing to a comprehensive understanding of deep-sea ecosystems.