Nice: Minister of Environment Dr. Yasmine Fouad held a meeting with Jessika Roswall, European Union Commissioner for Environment, Water Resilience, and Competitive Circular Economy, on the sidelines of her participation in the 3rd United Nations Ocean Conference (UNOC3), held in Nice, France.

According to State Information Service Egypt, the meeting focused on the ongoing negotiations for a binding global agreement aimed at reducing plastic pollution, which poses significant challenges to health, the environment, and the sustainability of natural resources. Dr. Fouad highlighted the need for amendments in several key articles of the agreement, specifically Articles 3, 6, and 11, which she described as critical components.

Dr. Fouad emphasized the importance of establishing an independent financing mechanism to support the treaty’s objectives, suggesting that this would alleviate pressure on the Global Environment Facility. She noted that this approach aligns with both Egypt’s and the EU’s stance on the financing mechanism for the new Global Biodiversity Framework.

Moreover, Dr. Fouad stressed that launching a new plastic treaty through an independent process requires setting ambitious goals, which necessitates an independent financing mechanism supported by both public and private funding. She also voiced Egypt’s concern over the potential financial burden on developing countries and the private sector, advocating for a shared responsibility approach to ensure equitable participation and support.