UN Climate Change High Level Champion and UN Special Envoy on Financing 2030 Sustainable Development Agenda Mahmoud Mohieldin said that the National Initiative for Smart Green Projects represents a strong addition to economic and development activities in Egypt.
This came during his participation in a preparatory meeting of the second edition of the initiative, with the participation of Ambassador Hisham Badr, General Coordinator of the initiative, Dr. Hisham El Helbawy, Assistant Minister of Local Development and Director of the Local Development Program in Upper Egypt, and Dr. Khaled Mostafa, Permanent Deputy at the Ministry of Planning and Economic Development.
The meeting discussed proposals on the timetable of the second edition of the initiative, expanding participation by different sectors and community groups, training and qualifying entrepreneurs, whether participating in the initiative’s competition or non-participants in order to give a strong boost to development action and economic activity at the local level.
Mohieldin stated that the initiative in its second edition is witnessing a wide momentum and a great participation from various local actors after the success of its first edition last year, explaining that the initiative is witnessing an expansion in the participation of public and private universities, professional unions, chambers of commerce, banks and cooperatives, in addition to the increasing participation of women, youth, startups and disabled people.
Mohieldin explained that the National Initiative for Smart Green Projects is an unprecedented initiative, and is one of the most important initiatives of development and climate action in terms of impact, praising the efforts made by the concerned authorities of the initiative, whether at the level of ministries, or at the level of governorates and local bodies, which are witnessing intensive rounds and seminars to introduce the initiative and its objectives, and how it represents a strong boost to development action based on advanced technology, and environmentally- and climate- friendly economic activity.
The climate champion reported that there is great interest from regional and international organizations, including United Nations organizations, to cooperate with Egypt in the initiative, as well as taking the initiative to the regional and international levels, which goes in line with Egyptian efforts to expand the scope of benefiting from the initiative on the regional and global arenas through cooperation with governments and various organizations and the participation of the initiative’s winning projects in related international events.
Mohieldin said that the initiative held under the auspices of President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi, and the results of its competition are announced and the owners of the winning projects are honored in a large national conference held under the auspices of President Sisi in which regional and international organizations participate, which gives the initiative and its development and economic aspects and goals great momentum.
Mohieldin confirmed that the goal of the initiative is basically to localize development and climate action in all Egyptian villages and cities, draw an investment map at the governorates level, increase local awareness of sustainable development issues, climate change and shifting towards a green economy, and involve all parties and groups of local actors in development and climate action by identifying six categories of projects participating in the initiative competition: Large projects, medium projects, small local projects especially those related to the presidential initiative “Decent Life”, startups projects, development projects related to women, climate change and sustainability, and non-profit community initiatives and participations.
Last year's edition witnessed the participation of more than six thousand projects from all over Egypt, and six winning projects were selected in each governorate (one for each category). At the central level, the jury of the initiative selected three winning projects for each category that were announced and honored in a large national conference with the participation of the Prime Minister. The winning projects were also showcased in COP27 and many other international events.
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