A pivotal environmental panel held at the French Institute in Cairo, and the Goethe-Institute in Cairo combined forces to introduce the 2025 Green Music Festival.
Concepts of sustainability, climate, eco-development, and green economy, in addition to music, are always the major concepts of the festival. But, this year witnessed the addition of another color which is blue.
It is based on engaging people, especially youth, in more climate-based and music activities.
The date of the festival mirrors the world celebration of the first summer day. The heat, the green scenery, the company, and the climate talk shaped the day.
The event came in the wake of the recent international Ocean Conference, which emphasized the need to accelerate action against marine pollution, loss of biodiversity, and climate-induced oceanic threats.
Alexandra Lamotte, Sustainable Development Advisor at the French Embassy: “Let’s build an ocean community.”
In her opening remarks, Alexandra, Environmental Advisor at the French Embassy, expressed satisfaction with the growing interest in oceanic issues. She reflected on the progress made at the latest Ocean Conference and the record number of attendees.
“It’s important that we share the lessons of this conference and recognize the ocean as central to our planet’s health,” she said, stressing the urgency of addressing ice melt, plastic waste, and deep-sea pollution.
Powerful Reflections from Regional Environmental Voices
Activist Ahmed Yassin opened the discussion by noting that this was the third Ocean Conference—but perhaps the first to truly centre marine life as a global climate priority.
He emphasised that topics like marine waste, blue economy opportunities, and the need for international ocean governance had finally reached serious global attention.
He flagged the upcoming PPNJ as a major milestone in progress, highlighting the lack of regulation in large parts of the world’s oceans.
The environmental advocate warned against the misconception that marine waste is just floating plastic.
“Much of it relates to unsustainable fishing gear, abandoned nets, and chemical runoff. These aren't just environmental issues—they're human responsibility issues,” he stated.
He pointed to the struggles of many countries, including the US, in coordinating with civil society over these matters. “Blue routes must be plastic-free routes,” he insisted.
Farah Kamel, another climate activist, described her general impression of the Ocean Conference as “eye-opening,” stating that oceanic challenges have long been sidelined in the climate conversation.
“You simply cannot separate the ocean from the climate problem. Oceans literally cool the planet.”
She noted that many discussions were focused on economic models for ocean benefit, and while Egypt has taken steps, its official position on plastic-related treaties remains unclear ahead of key August talks.
Financing Green Solutions: From Policy to Implementation
In the following panel, the panel then turned to climate financing mechanisms, with Mohamed Moatamed, Assistant to the Minister of Environment, explaining Egypt’s National Climate Change Strategy, which was developed in coordination with multiple sectors to set tangible adaptation and mitigation targets.
However, he emphasized that most of these goals are conditional on the availability of international funding.
He outlined the state’s efforts to improve green financing, pointing to the Central Bank of Egypt’s new financing tools, growing involvement from the banking sector, and the launch of green bonds.
One of the boldest initiatives mentioned was Egypt’s plan to establish a voluntary carbon market, aimed at integrating both public and private sectors into climate mitigation.
Andero Hanna from the French Development Agency (AFD Egypt) described their dual approach to funding climate projects: reducing emissions and enabling sustainable infrastructure such as metro systems. “We provide grants, loans, and technical support. But it’s also about building capacity for long-term investment,” he added.
Local Innovation: From Upcycled Fashion to Circular Economies
Bahga El Barbary, founder of Up-fuse, shared the story of her brand's journey. "Back in 2013, it was difficult to convince anyone to buy something recycled.
But today, our products are international," she said. The company, which started in low-income areas like Manshiyat Nasser, empowers women through sustainable fashion and waste repurposing.
Mostafa Ashraf from GIZ highlighted their work on integrating circular economy principles with local initiatives, especially in underserved governorates like Qena, Asyut, and Luxor.
GIZ is currently partnering with Egypt’s Ministry of Environment to promote green entrepreneurship, focusing on waste, textiles, and clean production.
Research and Application: Bridging Innovation and Practice
Dr. Bahi Bakir, a researcher and sustainability expert, explained that many eco-startups begin with pilot phases before scaling.
“The biggest barrier isn’t the idea—it’s overcoming each implementation hurdle. That’s where state support must come in.”
He also pointed to the untapped potential of agricultural waste, saying that several startups are already working to collect and convert it into viable raw material.
A Call for Shared Responsibility and Urgent Action
The panel offered a strong, unified message: oceans are no longer an afterthought—they are at the heart of the climate crisis and its solutions. Whether through policy reform, economic innovation, civil action, or local enterprise, every stakeholder has a role to play.
As Ahmed Yassin concluded: “Most people don’t understand how they impact the ocean—but everyone does. The future depends on making that connection visible and actionable.”
Green Music for a Blue Planet
Following the panel discussions, the Green Music Fest lit up the Greek Campus with powerful performances that merged artistic expression with environmental advocacy. The crowd, largely composed of engaged young people, had earlier participated in workshops like Letters to the Nile and the Eco-Bazaar. As the sun set, music took center stage.
The night featured an eclectic lineup:
Stranded Horse brought an elegant blend of French acoustic songwriting and West African kora rhythms, performing tracks from their discography.
TooFuse electrified the stage with their experimental fusion of electronic and world music.
Lella Fadda, the Egyptian-Italian rapper, delivered raw lyricism with industrial hip-hop flair.
Jamila & The Other Heroes, a Berlin-based band led by Palestinian-German singer Jamila Al-Yousef, closed the night with a fusion of psychedelic rock, funk, and Middle Eastern folk, sending out a message of unity and justice.
Follow the latest news on Google News
