CAIRO – 12 March 2024: Egypt and the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO) signed agreement for the Green Hurghada project, which involves investments exceeding $3 million.
The Green Hurghada project targets the mitigation of greenhouse gas emissions, the preservation of biodiversity in the coastal Hurghada region, and the promotion of climate-smart technology and biodiversity conservation practices within the tourism, energy, and transport infrastructure sectors.
The agreement was signed by the President of the Environmental Affairs Agency, Ali Abu Sunna, the Director of the Regional Office of UNIDO in Egypt, Patrick Gilbert, the Deputy Representative of the Program in the Regional Office, Ahmed Rizk, and UNIDO Representative, Jihan Bayoumi. The signing ceremony took place in the presence of the Minister of Environment, Yasmine Fouad.
Patrick Gilbert expressed his satisfaction with the agreement and emphasized the significance of the tourism industry for Egypt. He highlighted Egypt's position as one of Africa's most important tourist destinations, recognizing the industry's crucial contribution to the country's economy and its role in generating employment opportunities.
The Green Hurghada project aims to build a more sustainable and resilient tourism industry that fosters local social and economic development. It will achieve this by encouraging investments in environmental, economic, and social sustainability, promoting sustainable tourism practices, and implementing policies to mitigate the impact of tourism and fishing activities on biodiversity.
The project will encompass a strategic environmental assessment and measures to counter the effects of climate change and air pollution through technical assistance, technology development, and investment stimulation programs.
Funding for the project comes from the Global Environment Facility, and the Minister of Environment highlighted that the initiative draws on the successful experience of transforming Sharm El Sheikh into a green city, which occurred during the preparations for Egypt's hosting of the COP27 climate conference.
The project will focus on several key areas, including the development of strategic policy frameworks to achieve green recovery and sustainable growth in the tourism sector and other sectors affecting Hurghada. It also aims to establish connections between the green recovery plan and financial support mechanisms, as well as climate investments.
By promoting investments in green technology, the project seeks to reduce emissions and prevent the degradation of marine ecosystems. Furthermore, it aims to enhance the economic competitiveness of the tourism sector and ensure long-term environmental and economic sustainability through low-carbon infrastructure investments in biodiversity, as well as robust monitoring and evaluation practices.
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