Statement on the 2026 National Week for Sustainable Development Equitable and Sustainable Solutions for Strengthening Resilience
On the occasion of the 12th National Week for Sustainable Development in 2026, held under the theme “Equitable and Sustainable Solutions for Strengthening Resilience” and coinciding with the observance of World Environment Day, the Egyptian Sustainable Development Forum welcomes the directives of President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi to increase the share of renewable energy in Egypt’s energy mix to 45% by 2028.
These directives were reflected in the decision announced by Prime Minister Dr. Mostafa Madbouly, requiring newly established industrial facilities to meet a proportion of their total energy consumption through new and renewable energy sources, thereby contributing to the strengthening of Egypt’s energy security.
Positive Steps to Accelerate the Clean Energy Transition
In this context, the Egyptian Sustainable Development Forum reaffirms its full support for government policies aimed at accelerating the transition to new and renewable energy and strengthening Egypt’s energy security. A just transition to clean energy sources represents one of the fundamental pillars for achieving the Sustainable Development Goals and fulfilling Egypt’s climate commitments.
While commending the efforts to expand solar, wind and nuclear energy projects and improve energy efficiency, the Forum calls for ensuring that the clean energy transition is equitable and inclusive across all parts of the country, including industrial zones, cities and newly established urban communities.
The Forum also reiterates its support for the TeraMED Initiative, led by the Arab Network for Environment and Development (RAED), which seeks to promote a just and sustainable energy transition across the Middle East and North Africa. The Forum considers the initiative an important platform for supporting dialogue among governments, civil society and the private sector and for strengthening citizens’ participation in shaping sustainable energy policies, thereby contributing to balanced and equitable economic, social and environmental development.
Expected Outcomes of Integrating Environmental and Local Development Policies
The Egyptian Sustainable Development Forum is closely following developments related to the restructuring of several ministries and national institutions responsible for environmental, development, agricultural and scientific research affairs. This reflects the Forum’s belief that achieving the Sustainable Development Goals requires stronger integration between government policies and environmental, social and economic considerations to build a more sustainable future for present and future generations.
In this context, the Forum hopes that the decision to merge the Ministry of Environment with the Ministry of Local Development will enhance the efficiency of environmental action, which has evolved over nearly half a century, and ensure stronger enforcement of environmental legislation and the full implementation of environmental policies at both national and local levels.
The Forum also stresses the importance of effectively engaging governorates and local communities, as they constitute the first line of defence against environmental challenges related to climate change, the conservation of natural resources and the improvement of citizens’ quality of life.
The Forum hopes that the merger will deliver the intended positive outcomes for environmental action, including the stronger integration of environmental considerations into local development plans, the accelerated implementation of green projects across governorates, improved coordination among executive authorities and the broader application of green economy principles. It should also support climate adaptation efforts and reduce environmental risks at the local level.
At the same time, the Egyptian Sustainable Development Forum acknowledges the concerns expressed by civil society representatives, media professionals and environmental experts regarding the need to preserve the independence of the environmental portfolio and ensure that its priorities are not diminished within the new institutional structure.
The Forum therefore stresses the importance of establishing the necessary institutional and technical safeguards to preserve the achievements made over recent decades in environmental protection, biodiversity conservation, protected-area management and the fulfilment of Egypt’s national and international climate commitments.
The Agricultural Research Center: A Unique Scientific Institution
The Egyptian Sustainable Development Forum also expresses its solidarity with the concerns raised by numerous scientists, researchers and experts working at the Agricultural Research Center regarding proposals to relocate the Center from its historic headquarters adjacent to Cairo University to the Dahshur area. The Forum believes that these concerns deserve careful consideration and comprehensive scientific and institutional dialogue before any final decisions are made.
In this regard, the Forum notes that the Agricultural Research Center is one of the most important scientific and research institutions in Egypt and the Arab region. Its true value is not confined to its buildings and administrative facilities but extends to an integrated system of specialized laboratories, research infrastructure, experimental fields, extension farms, research stations and human expertise accumulated over many decades of scientific work.
Many of these research and experimental assets would be difficult to replace or rebuild with the same level of effectiveness at new locations within a short period.
The Forum emphasizes that any process aimed at developing or modernizing the institutional structure of agricultural research must begin by preserving and strengthening national scientific and research capacities. It must also ensure that ongoing research programs and the services provided to farmers and agricultural producers are not disrupted.
Such a process should strike an appropriate balance between urban development requirements and the preservation of scientific and strategic assets that constitute a fundamental pillar of food security and sustainable agricultural development in Egypt.
The Ethiopian Dam: Stalemate in the Face of Legitimate Concerns
In a related context, the Egyptian Sustainable Development Forum expresses concern over the continued stalemate in negotiations concerning the Ethiopian dam and the Ethiopian side’s insufficient response to the legitimate concerns raised by the two downstream countries, Egypt and Sudan, regarding the management and operation of the dam and its potential implications for water security and regional stability.
The Forum stresses that water is an essential element for achieving sustainable development, food security and social justice. Reaching a balanced and legally binding agreement that takes into consideration the interests of all parties, in accordance with international law and the principles of equitable and reasonable use of transboundary water resources, remains an urgent necessity.
Such an agreement is vital to ensuring stability and sustainable development for the peoples of the region, strengthening regional cooperation and preventing further tensions associated with water resources.
In this regard, the Forum underscores the importance of the optimal and sustainable use of water resources to support the food security of local communities, strengthen the economy and create employment opportunities through blue economy sectors, including capture fisheries, aquaculture and maritime transport, while safeguarding environmental sustainability and promoting social and economic justice.
The Green Economy, Youth Empowerment and Equality
The Egyptian Sustainable Development Forum affirms that the transition towards a green economy represents a strategic opportunity to achieve inclusive development and generate sustainable employment opportunities, particularly for young people. This can be achieved by supporting green projects, environmental entrepreneurship and innovation in renewable energy, waste management and sustainable agriculture.
The Forum also stresses the importance of incorporating social and gender considerations into the design and implementation of these programs to ensure that young people have fair and balanced opportunities to participate in development efforts.
The Forum believes that investing in youth capacity-building and equipping young people with the technical and technological skills required by the green economy has become a national necessity considering current economic and environmental changes.
Accordingly, the Forum calls for expanding vocational training and capacity-building programs, aligning them with the needs of the green labor market and providing financing and support mechanisms for youth-led micro, small and medium-sized enterprises, thereby contributing to stronger local development.
The Forum further emphasizes the critical importance of conducting comprehensive environmental and scientific studies and assessments for new projects before implementation. Such assessments are among the fundamental requirements for ensuring the sustainability of projects and maximizing their economic, social and environmental returns.
These studies must also consider rapidly evolving climatic and environmental conditions and the potential challenges and risks they may pose to the continuity and long-term efficiency of projects. This is necessary to ensure that projects can achieve their intended development objectives, protect national investments, strengthen their contribution to the national economy and improve citizens’ quality of life.
Civil Society and Media Partnerships for Sustainable Development
The Forum affirms that civil society organizations working in environmental protection and natural resource conservation constitute an important national asset and an essential partner in implementing the Sustainable Development Goals.
Over the past two decades, these organizations have developed extensive practical experience and successful models in natural resource management, climate adaptation and community development.
The Forum therefore stresses the importance of creating a supportive institutional and administrative environment that ensures the sustainability of these efforts and enables accumulated experience to inform public policy development and the responsible use of natural resources.
The Egyptian Sustainable Development Forum also affirms that specialized environmental and development media constitute a key partner in supporting the efforts of the state and society to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals.
The Forum calls for specialized media professionals to be involved in the planning and formulation of future strategies and policies. It also recommends providing specialized training programs and workshops to strengthen their technical and scientific capacities and enable them to address environmental and development issues professionally and accurately.
In conclusion, the Egyptian Sustainable Development Forum affirms that the success of the sustainable development process requires a broad national dialogue involving decision-makers, scientists, researchers, civil society organizations and the media.
Such dialogue is essential to ensuring that decisions are based on sound scientific and developmental foundations, strengthening the Egyptian state’s capacity to address environmental, climate-related and food-security challenges and advancing the achievement of Egypt Vision 2030 for Sustainable Development.
