Cairo: The Ministry of Foreign Affairs, International Cooperation and Egyptian Expatriates hosted the signing ceremony of the grant agreement for the Circular Electronics Initiative (CEI) project in Egypt. The event took place on Monday, June 29, 2026, and was attended by prominent figures including Minister of Foreign Affairs, International Cooperation and Egyptian Expatriates Badr Abdelatty, Minister of Local Development and Environment Manal Awad, and Swiss Ambassador to Egypt Andreas Baum.
According to State Information Service Egypt, the Swiss State Secretariat for Economic Affairs (SECO) will provide a grant worth CHF 1.4 million to the Ministry of Local Development and Environment. This grant, represented by the Waste Management Regulatory Authority, is part of the ongoing development cooperation between Egypt and Switzerland. The project aligns with the technical and financial cooperation agreement signed in January 2013 between the two nations.
The Circular Electronics Initiative aims to enhance the institutional and regulatory frameworks necessary for implementing sustainable practices for the reuse and recycling of waste electrical and electronic equipment (WEEE). This initiative promotes the circular economy and seeks to improve resource management efficiency in Egypt.
During the ceremony, Minister Abdelatty emphasized that the signing of the agreement signifies a new milestone in the enduring partnership between Egypt and Switzerland. This agreement reflects the shared commitment of both countries to support sustainable development efforts and strengthen bilateral cooperation in priority sectors. Abdelatty highlighted that Egyptian-Swiss relations have a foundation of over 90 years of diplomatic ties and more than 45 years of development cooperation. He praised Switzerland as a reliable development partner for Egypt and noted the contributions of joint cooperation programs to various priority development sectors.
Minister Abdelatty also mentioned the launch of the Fourth Swiss Cooperation Programme in Egypt in 2025, marking another step towards enhancing the development partnership between the two countries. This launch reflects the depth of bilateral relations and their shared determination to elevate cooperation to broader horizons.
Minister Awad remarked that the initiative is timely, given the increasing attention Egypt is paying to sustainable waste management, particularly electronic waste, which is among the fastest-growing waste streams globally. She noted that while e-waste presents significant environmental and public health challenges, it also offers promising economic opportunities as Egypt transitions toward a green and circular economy.