Cairo:Prime Minister Mostafa Madbouly has reaffirmed the commitment to expanding urban green spaces across Egypt, following President Abdel Fattah El Sisi's directives. The initiative focuses on transforming vacant and unused land into gardens and green areas to enhance the urban environment and cities' aesthetic appeal.

According to State Information Service Egypt, Madbouly made these remarks while inspecting agricultural and afforestation projects in Cairo Governorate. Accompanying him were Minister of Local Development and Environment Manal Awad and Cairo Governor Ibrahim Saber.

The project aims to increase the tree cover and green spaces along major roads, corridors, medians, and city entrances, thereby improving the quality of life by increasing the per capita share of green areas. Minister Manal Awad highlighted the Ministry's ongoing support for expanding afforestation activities and the preservation of existing trees.

During his tour, Madbouly visited afforestation works beneath the Ibrahim El-Orabi Bridge in Cairo. He received a comprehensive briefing from Cairo Governor Ibrahim Saber on the governorate's plan to implement the greening directives, which includes raising awareness about afforestation and intensifying tree planting efforts.

Governor Saber detailed that the 'Greening Cairo' plan is informed by scientific research and involves a consultancy specializing in afforestation to select suitable tree species. The focus is on shade-providing trees that require minimal water, with criteria such as rapid growth and resilience to climatic conditions being considered. The initiative has already resulted in the planting of over 3,000 trees and nearly 700,000 shrubs and plants along major roads and corridors.