Interviewer of Dr. Nevin Al-Qabbaj’s speech at the first ceremony of the Earth Guards Shield
At the first ceremony of the “Earth Guards Shield”, which was held to honor institutions – and individuals – that met environmental standards and achieved certain development conditions – Dr. Nevin Al-Kabbaj – Minister of Social Solidarity – gave a speech in which she spoke about the “Shield” competition “Earth Guards” and its importance, that competition launched by “Earth Guards” magazine, sponsored byMinistry of Social Solidarity; Emphasizing the ability of civil society and its civil institutions to direct awareness, as a strategic partner in the state’s plans locally and regionally.
This was in the presence of a number of parliamentary officials, including: Counselor/ Ahmed Saad El-Din, “First Undersecretary of the House of Representatives,” Engineer/ Ashraf Rashad, “majority representative,” and Representatives/ Imad Hamouda, Hossam Awad, Mohamed El-Gabalawy, and Olfat El-Mazalawy; At the beginning of her speech, the Minister praised the efforts of Mrs. Dr.Reham Farouk “Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Earth Guards Magazine,” expressing her appreciation for her efforts in issues of Egyptian society. The Minister of Social Solidarity even confirmed that Dr. Reham Farouk’s activity and passion will have a positive impact in the future, which will push The magazine is moving forward.
And by saying: “Time is passing, and it is passing very quickly” Al-Kabbaj stressed that it is necessary to take quick, tangible and effective measures; To protect the earth and all people. Hence, she explained that thelogic of sustainable developmentin the Ministry of Social Solidarity is: What we lose now we will not get back again; The effects of the climate cross spatial and temporal boundaries, and this will have a negative impact on future generations, those generations that did not contribute to these effects, and despite this, they are more vulnerable to their danger. Among those who have no hand in climate change and at the same time suffer from its devastating effects: small farmers, fishermen, and workers who recycle garbage, medical and electronic waste.
In this context, Dr. Nevin Al-Kabbaj spoke about the extent and limits of these impacts, as they are not present in one country alone, but rather have affected the countries of the entire world, including our beloved country – Egypt – especially after predictions indicating rising temperature rates and intensifying dust storms along the Mediterranean coast, where the annual temperature has risen more than its normal rate in the past three years, with an expectation that sea level will rise by 30%. centimeters by 2050.
Regarding these effects, Al-Kabbaj went on to say: “It is also expected that the soil climate will be affected and its productivity will be weakened. Egypt is also exposed to water scarcity, severe drought in coastal communities, and a decline in agricultural production by a rate ranging between 8 to 47% by 2060, as well as a rise in groundwater levels in agricultural lands.” Her saying this – according to her statement – was not a dark outlook, but rather a realistic view of preparing the kit.
On the other hand, the Minister of Social Solidarity expressed her happiness at the presence of telecommunications companies among the winners of the “Earth Guards Shield.” Because of its importance in the field ofrecycling of solid, electronic and medical waste, drawing attention to the fact that such an opportunity can be exploited to develop this field through these companies, and through their social responsibilities; To recycle waste in a sustainable manner.
Commenting on these companies and their role alongside the government sector, Dr. Nevin Al-Qabbaj praised the role of “Earth Defenders” magazine, which was able, through its journey, to reconstruct the concepts of environmental and developmental community work, and to enhance awareness of environmental and development issues. Pointing toits six axes through which the magazine seeks to pave the sustainable path and overcome obstacles facing society and its institutions, taking into account achieving the goals of sustainable development and preserving the environment smoothly and effectively, and encouraging the achievement of sustainability through the Earth Guards Shield Award.
For all of this, the Minister spoke aboutthe role of civil society, where she saw that there is a direct relationship between social justice and environmental justice, and that the role of linking them is not limited to the government and its institutions only, but rather is a role assigned to civil society organizations, in addition to the media, its means, art, and its messages; Because they have a skill in adapting issues and simplifying them for people. Al-Qabbaj added to these societal sectors some other community centers, such as: parties, initiatives, and social movements such as the Green Movement, the Peace Movement, and the Peace Fields Movement, activists, and volunteers. Referring toLaw No. (149) of 2019, which grants these movements and initiatives their legal status, just as civil associations derive their legal status from it.
To clarify the importance of the role of civil society in the field of achieving Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and preserving the environment – Al-Kabbaj mentioned how civil society institutions had a role in international climate negotiations in the “Rio Declaration,” in accordance with the articles mentioned in the United Nations Framework Convention, which saw civil society as an essential partner in mitigating the risks of climate change and its severe effects. Also, the Minister of Social Solidarity mentioned the role of civil society organizations in “COP27” which was held in Egypt last year, as these organizations had a share in the negotiations and a contribution to the conversation about Egypt’s share of international financing directed to climate and development issues.
Last but not least, the Minister spoke in her speech about the solutions that can address these challenges related to climate and development work, and among these solutions are: the Ministry of Social Solidarity’s interest in NGOs that are aware of climate change issues, activating the environmental performance index; To measure the extent of the positive impact ofcivil society projects, support medical industries, and financing from Nasser Bank, which finances sustainable means of transportation operating on natural gas, as well as support economic empowerment projects that help shift towards the use of renewable energy, in addition to projects that reduceclimate changesand enhance the positive effects resulting from development projects And environmental.
At the conclusion of her speech at the first ceremony of the Earth Guards Shield, Dr.Neven Al-Kabbaj – Minister of Social Solidarity-The winning institutions of the “Earth Guards Shield” congratulated those institutions that succeeded in the indicators of measuring environmental and development performance; The Minister confirmed that this ceremony is the first, and there will be other celebrations, to honor institutions and individuals in all fields and sectors.
