Egypt, UNDP discuss outcomes of joint projects, future environmental cooperation

Manal Awad, Egypt’s Minister of Local Development and Acting Minister of Environment, has met with Ghimar Deeb, Deputy Resident Representative of the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) in Egypt, to review current and future cooperation between the ministry and UNDP. The discussions focused on the progress of joint projects, their successes, and the challenges encountered.

The Saturday meeting was attended by Mohamed Bayoumi, Assistant Resident Representative of UNDP; Heba Wafa, Director of Local Development, Social Inclusion, and Women’s Empowerment Programmes at UNDP; Hoda El Shawadfy, Assistant Minister for Ecotourism; Soha Taher, Head of the Central Administration for Climate Change and International Cooperation; and Mona Shehab, World Bank Project Coordinator at the Ministry of Local Development.

Awad reviewed a comprehensive presentation assessing the status of projects jointly implemented with UNDP. The evaluation covered project management mechanisms, progress achieved compared with planned timelines, challenges faced, and the measures taken to address them.

The presentation highlighted joint projects in climate change and biodiversity, including Egypt’s international reporting obligations—such as transparency reports, biodiversity reports, and national adaptation plans. These reports serve as key references for the ministry’s work across areas including climate change, water, energy, agriculture, coastal protection, and biodiversity.