European Bank for Reconstruction and Development: Egypt is a key partner in the Green Cities Initiative
European Bank for Reconstruction and Development: Egypt is a key partner in the Green Cities Initiative
In a discussion session on the sidelines of the annual meeting held by the European Bank in Samarkand (Uzbekistan), and in implementation of the “Green Cities of the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development: Flexible Solutions for Future Cities” initiative – “Minister of International Cooperation and Governor of Egypt participated inEuropean Bank for Reconstruction and Development” Dr. Rania Al-Mashat, with a speech on the concept of green cities, where she was held The session was attended by two of the bank’s officials: Nandita Parshad, Executive Director of the Sustainable Infrastructure Group, Lynn O’Grady, Vice President of Sustainable Infrastructure Policy, in addition to Thierry Diao, Co-Founder of Meridiam, Katherine Workman, Head of the Middle East Department at Pincent Masons, and Eryknon Tordimov, Governor of Samarkand.
In her speech, the Minister focused on explaining the importance of the Green Cities Initiative launched by the European Bank, drawing attention to the fact that this initiative enhances communication and stimulates sustainable and comprehensive growth, and that this concept – that is, the concept of green cities – revolves around three axes, the first of which is: government policies, then citizens, and the last of which is: the private sector; They are clearly interconnected axes.
Al-Mashat indicated that the human mind always infers the characteristics of climate action when talking about the concept of green cities, noting the National Strategy for Climate Change 2050, which stimulates such a green transformation in many different sectors, including: the environment, infrastructure, transportation, energy, and green hydrogen; These are sectors that do not fall outside the framework of the concept of sustainable and green cities. For that green transformation, Egypt seeks to implement “Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs).” To reduce harmful emissions and other environmental impacts that attack the health of our planet.
On the other hand, the Minister of International Cooperation stressed the extent of the strong interrelation between climate action and the establishment of smart cities around the world, and this requires diversification in projects with certain environmental standards. Therefore, the Minister saw the urgent priority in implementing national projects, and this is what the Egyptian government was aware of, as it implemented the 6th of October City dry port, subway lines in the Cairo and Alexandria governorates, and other pioneering projects in this field.
In addition to her previous assertion, Dr. Rania Al-Mashat spoke about one of the three axes in establishing green cities, which is the axis of citizens. These projects – according to the Minister’s statement – are nothing but a plan towards enhancing areas of safety through green transformation. Drawing attention to the fact that the private sector – the third of these axes – is important for its ability to implement pioneering projects and pump many investments between multiple sectors, and from here Al-Mashat praised the Green Cities Initiative. Because it is a way to achieve harmony between the state’s priorities and global development goals.
Regarding this harmony and its effects, the minister said: “We can see in theClimate Conference how all parties were represented in governments and the private sector, with the participation of civil society, parliamentarians, international institutions and development partners, which is important when making a real shift towards green cities. In order to strengthen close partnerships.”
Ms. Nandita Parshad confirmed the statements of Dr. Rania Al-Mashat, as the Executive Director of the Sustainable Infrastructure Group at the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development elaborated on the importance of Egypt as a key partner of the Bank in these and similar initiatives. Parshad also reviewed the results of the initiative, the most important of which was the investment of about 7 billion euros, to implement 80 infrastructure projects. Sustainable.
It is worth noting, what the Ministry of International Cooperation in the field of development did, as it launched the joint country strategy between it and the European Bank, and this in the period from 2022 to 2027, as its axes were comprehensive, targeting the establishment of a comprehensive and sustainable economy, and it also targeted women and their empowerment in the business community, as well as accelerating the transition towards a green economy, and stimulating sector investments. Private.
The Minister of International Cooperation concluded her speech with a clear statement in which she officially confirmed that Egypt will host the World Urban Forum at its twelfth session in November of next year, as it will be a major international conference, and from it Egypt will enhance the steps of green transformation and smart urban development efforts.
