Alexandria: Minister of Local Development and Environment Manal Awad chaired a critical meeting to review preparations for Egypt’s hosting of the 98th Executive Bureau meeting of the Mediterranean Action Plan (MAP) under the Barcelona Convention. The event is scheduled to take place in Alexandria from March 31 to April 1.

According to State Information Service Egypt, the meeting was attended by senior officials from the Environment Affairs Agency and representatives from the ministry who are involved in coordinating the event. This gathering marks the first time the MAP Executive Bureau meeting will be hosted by Egypt since its successful organization of the 24th Conference of the Parties to the Barcelona Convention. Egypt holds the presidency of the convention until 2027, and Minister Awad emphasized the importance of thorough preparations to reflect Egypt’s international standing.

The Barcelona Convention framework includes seven protocols addressing crucial Mediterranean environmental policies. These policies encompass pollution prevention, hazardous waste management, integrated coastal zone management, protection from land-based pollution sources, offshore pollution control, emergency response, and biodiversity protection. Minister Awad highlighted these areas during the meeting, underscoring their significance for the upcoming bureau meeting.