Egypt's Acting Minister of Environment, Manal Awad, met with officials from the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) to discuss expanding cooperation and launching new projects focused on climate adaptation, sustainable agriculture, and ecosystem protection, according to a statement from the environment ministry on Tuesday.
Manal Awad highlighted that Egypt's partnership with the FAO encompasses several ongoing initiatives, including the sustainable management of agricultural ecosystems in the New Valley oases, development support in Al-Farafra, and collaboration with other ministries to modernize irrigation and farming practices, as well as developing climate-resilient crop varieties.
The discussions focused on bolstering climate resilience in coastal and delta governorates through ecosystem restoration programs funded by the Green Climate Fund. They also addressed regional efforts, such as sustainable fisheries management in the Red Sea and the SCALA program, which seeks to enhance climate ambition in land use and agriculture.
The meeting explored expanding the production of organic fertilizers via large-scale biogas units at livestock farms to improve the competitiveness of Egyptian agricultural exports in line with European standards. Cooperation on sustainable approaches to managing stray dog populations without harming ecosystems was also covered.
Awad expressed Egypt's interest in FAO support to implement its national climate change strategy and nationally determined contributions in the agriculture and irrigation sectors, promote climate-smart agriculture and renewable energy use, and access new international financing, including loss and damage funds.
FAO Assistant Director-General and Regional Representative Abdulhakim Elwaer emphasized the partnership's importance in advancing food security and building resilient food systems amid climate change, while praising Egypt's regional role and longstanding cooperation with the organization.