Egypt to allocate LE 3 billion for presidential multi-year initiative to plant 100 million trees

CAIRO – 18 November 2022: Egypt will allocate LE 3 billion for the presidential multi-year initiative to plant 100 million trees nationwide in light of the challenges that the world, including Egypt, faces due to climate agenda.

The initiative will be implemented over seven years and comes in light of the state’s national agenda for sustainable development, according to a statement by the Egyptian Cabinet on Friday.

The initiative aims at cultivating some types of trees that of economic benefits, including fruit trees and hardwood trees.

The initiative will also double the current per capita share of green spaces in Egypt, estimated at 1.2 square meters per person.

Also, the initiative will help reduce pollution, fumes and dust, which will reflect positively on the public health of citizens, the statement said.

The initiative will also help reduce greenhouse gas emissions by about 61.2 million tons annually, equivalent to 20 percent of Egypt's current total annual emissions, in addition, it will improve air quality.

The first phase of the initiative includes planting 10 million trees by the end of the next year. A total of 15 million trees will be planted annually over the next six years until 2029.

Ministry of Local Development will contribute in the initiative by planting 80 million trees, including 7.7 million during the first year.

Ministry of Environment will also plant 13 million trees under the initiative while the New Urban Communities Authority (NUCA) will plant seven million trees.

The initiative will be planting trees in all 27 governorates in Egypt, including more than 3.4 million trees in Greater Cairo.