Under the Theme “Beat Plastic Pollution”, The Egyptian Forum Launches the 11th National Sustainable Development Week under the Patronage of the Ministry of Environment
Egypt Strengthens Its Global Role in Supporting Efforts to Combat Plastic Pollution Ahead of Nairobi Negotiations
As part of the celebrations for World Environment Day 2025 and under the patronage of H.E. Dr. Yasmine Fouad, Minister of Environment, the Egyptian Sustainable Development Forum (ESDF), in cooperation with the Arab Office for Youth and Environment, has announced the launch of the 11th National Sustainable Development Week under the theme “Beat Plastic Pollution.” This is the same theme adopted by the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) for this year’s World Environment Day.
The 11th edition of the National Sustainable Development Week comes at a critical moment, just a few months ahead of the fifth and final round of international negotiations aimed at adopting a legally binding global treaty to end plastic pollution. This round, held under the auspices of the United Nations, is scheduled to take place in Nairobi, Kenya, at the end of November.
The Nairobi round is expected to witness consensus on the final wording of the treaty, which would significantly bolster global efforts to reduce plastic pollution. This adds further international importance to the National Sustainable Development Week, highlighting the active role played by civil society organizations in contributing to the global negotiation process and supporting high-priority environmental causes.
Dr. Emad El-Din Adly, Chairperson of the Board of Trustees of the Egyptian Sustainable Development Forum—established in 2012—stated that since 2015, the Forum has adopted the National Sustainable Development Week initiative to coincide with World Environment Day, celebrated annually on June 5. Since its first edition, the initiative has received the patronage of the Prime Minister and the support of the Ministry of Environment and it continues to attract the participation of several ministers and key decision-makers involved in environmental and development affairs.
Dr. Adly emphasized that the goal of the initiative is to enhance dialogue and build partnerships among all stakeholders to develop policies and visions that support sustainability goals at the national, regional and global levels. On this occasion, the Forum expressed its appreciation to H.E. Dr. Yasmine Fouad for her ongoing support to the Forum’s activities and praised her pioneering efforts in environmental work. These efforts led to her appointment as Executive Secretary of the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD). This international recognition reflects Egypt’s growing global influence in environmental policymaking and its active contribution to climate change, biodiversity and sustainable development agendas.
The Forum further affirmed that this recognition highlights Egypt’s significant progress in integrating environmental considerations into national development plans and achieving a balance between economic growth and environmental sustainability, under visionary national leadership committed to protecting natural resources for future generations.
The Egyptian Sustainable Development Forum renewed its commitment to advancing national policies and initiatives aimed at building a more environmentally conscious and resilient society, through broad-based awareness campaigns, the adoption of effective alternative solutions and the organization of local initiatives that promote positive environmental behaviors.
In preparation for the 11th edition of the National Sustainable Development Week, the Forum, in collaboration with its civil society partners and members of local sustainable development forums across various governorates, organized a series of field and awareness activities. These activities aim to shed light on the harms of plastic pollution locally and globally and to educate the public on safe and environmentally friendly alternatives that reduce the use of single-use plastic products. The Forum also held consultative meetings to raise awareness about the components of the National Strategy for Reducing Single-Use Plastic Bags, and to encourage public participation in its implementation.
These efforts will culminate in a high-level event on 18 June, as part of the National Sustainable Development Week activities.