Egypt, Switzerland Sign CHF 1.4M Grant Agreement to Advance Circular Electronics Initiative

Egypt and Switzerland signed a CHF 1.4 million grant agreement on Monday to launch the Circular Electronics Initiative (CEI) project in Egypt, aimed at strengthening the country's capacity to manage electronic waste through sustainable recycling and reuse practices.

The signing ceremony, hosted by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, International Cooperation and Egyptian Expatriates, was attended by Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty, Minister of Local Development and Environment Manal Awad, and Swiss Ambassador to Egypt Andreas Baum.

Under the agreement, the Swiss State Secretariat for Economic Affairs (SECO) will provide a grant of CHF 1.4 million to the Ministry of Local Development and Environment, represented by the Waste Management Regulatory Authority, as part of the ongoing development cooperation between Egypt and Switzerland.

The project is being implemented within the framework of the technical and financial cooperation agreement signed between the two countries in January 2013.

The initiative seeks to strengthen the institutional and regulatory frameworks needed to promote the sustainable reuse and recycling of waste electrical and electronic equipment (WEEE), supporting Egypt's transition toward a circular economy while improving resource efficiency.

Speaking at the ceremony, Abdelatty described the agreement as a new milestone in the long-standing partnership between Egypt and Switzerland, reflecting both countries' shared commitment to sustainable development and enhanced cooperation in priority sectors.

He noted that Egyptian-Swiss relations are built on more than 90 years of diplomatic ties and over 45 years of successful development cooperation, describing Switzerland as a trusted development partner that has contributed to advancing several of Egypt's key development priorities.

The foreign minister also highlighted the launch of the Fourth Swiss Cooperation Programme in Egypt in 2025, saying it represents another step toward deepening bilateral development cooperation and expanding collaboration across strategic sectors.

In turn, Awad said the initiative comes at a critical time as Egypt intensifies its efforts to improve sustainable waste management, particularly in addressing electronic waste, one of the world's fastest-growing waste streams.

She emphasized that while electronic waste presents serious environmental and public health challenges, it also offers significant economic opportunities that can support Egypt's transition to a green and circular economy.

The CEI project is expected to help establish a more effective regulatory environment for electronic waste management, encouraging sustainable production and consumption practices while creating opportunities for resource recovery and green economic growth.