Environment min. urges for int’l financing mechanism to stop use of plastic bags

CAIRO – 23 September 2020: Environment Minister Yasmine Fouad called the international community on Wednesday to secure a balanced and fair financing mechanism to help both developing and developed countries to stop the use of single-used plastic within the framework of the achievement of Sustainable Development Goals.

“We cannot keep talking about trillions of tons of plastics in our oceans until the year 2050, which are threatening our biological diversity and the future generations if not confronted with a clear and sustainable mechanism,” Ministry Fouad said.

Fouad’s statements came during her participation in a special session on strengthening the partnership dealing with plastic waste at the World Economic Forum, which was held via video conference.

She further presented Egypt’s efforts over the past three years to reduce the use of plastic, especially single-use plastic bags.

In her speech, Fouad referred to Egypt’s national strategy for sustainable development, an all-out management plant to curb pollution of beaches, in addition to cooperation with all partners, especially youths and civil community, to launch an awareness campaign on the importance of ditching single-use plastic bags in the tourist cities of Hurghada and South Sinai.

She noted that “a committee was formed under a cabinet decision to lay down a roadmap to get rid of virgin plastic bags.”

A law was previously approved by the parliament to reduce the use and the manufacturing of plastic bags in a limited period and under certain regulations.