Minister of Environment Yassmine Fouad said that Egypt and Switzerland are bound by a strong partnership in many environmental domains, including solid waste management.

In recent years, the two countries have also been closely cooperating for dealing hazardous medical waste as state members to the Basel and Stockholm conventions, Fouad added during a meeting with Swiss Ambassador for the Environment Franz Perrez on Saturday 22/01/2022.

“We are working for building on this cooperation over the period ahead, especially during the next UN Climate Change Conference 2022 (COP 27) in Egypt,” the minister said.

Fouad briefed the Swiss official on the ministry’s efforts to reduce plastic waste as a main goal of the State’s new waste management system being implemented in partnership with the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation and the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD).

Having completed the planning phase, both sides have been working on executing three main programs focusing on infrastructure development, effective operation, and creating a legislative and regulatory atmosphere conducive to environment action, the minister pointed out.

In addition, Egypt has issued its first law regulating waste management by adopting of the circular economy approach and engaging the private and non-official sectors in implementing the new system, Foaud noted.

This law provides a set of procedures that seeks to reduce dependence on plastic bags, while coordinating with relevant stakeholders – including merchants, manufacturers and consumers – to explore more eco-friendly alternatives, such as biodegradable plastics, she explained.

During the meeting, Fouad also emphasized the importance of linking climate change action with biodiversity conservation efforts.

Meanwhile, Perrez underlined the need to unify climate change efforts, applauding the outcomes of the Glasgow Climate Change Conference (COP26), which pave the way for even further important results during COP27 Egypt will host in Sharm El Sheikh this year.

He also praised Egypt’s efforts to reduce plastic waste, welcoming further cooperation on that score.

The Basel and Stockholm conventions are multilateral environmental agreements that share the common objective of protecting human health and the environment from hazardous chemicals and wastes.

Source: State Information Service Egypt