Restoring Natural Systems: Core Theme of the Egyptian Sustainable Development Forum’s World Heritage Day Celebration in Suez

The Local Sustainable Development Forum in Suez Governorate, in collaboration with the Egyptian Environmental Affairs Agency (EEAA) branch and the Nile Media Center, organized a major celebration in honor of World Heritage Day. The event highlighted the importance of Egypt’s Nature Protected Areas as national treasures that must be protected and supported with the necessary resources to ensure their environmental, scientific and cultural sustainability.

Dr. Hussein Rashad, Director General of the Northern Region’s Protected Areas, emphasized Egypt’s rich and diverse ecosystems, including wetlands, mountains, and sand dunes. He noted Egypt’s exceptional biodiversity, encompassing a wide variety of plant and animal species. Dr. Rashad affirmed that the state, through its relevant institutions, places high priority on nature reserves as part of its efforts to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals in line with “Egypt Vision 2030.”

Magda Ashmawy, Director of the Nile Media Center in Suez, stressed the urgency of environmental protection, given the extreme climate phenomena that have emerged as a result of severe human intervention, leading to increased pollution and destruction of natural habitats. She stated, “It is essential that we unite our efforts to protect the environment and restore our natural systems through sustainable and innovative solutions.”

Dr. Intissar El-Hegazy, Coordinator of the Local Sustainable Development Forum in Suez, underscored the importance of spotlighting the nature reserves sector during this significant international occasion, as it intersects with environmental, social, and economic dimensions. She also highlighted the vital role of civil society in supporting relevant authorities in environmental protection, raising awareness and proposing and implementing sustainable, innovative solutions.

Inas El-Taher, Director of Media and Awareness at the EEAA, discussed the progress made in strategies for managing protected areas. These strategies focus on key pillars such as awareness-raising and capacity building, which have contributed to enhanced conservation of Egypt’s natural resources.

At the conclusion of the event, participants agreed on a set of recommendations to be taken into consideration by the Local Sustainable Development Forum in Suez, with an emphasis on implementation in coordination with local partners. Among the key recommendations were: integrating the importance of nature reserves and their role in sustainable development into sermons at mosques and churches; proposing the establishment of a new protected area in Suez Governorate; organizing field visits to protected areas to explore their unique habitats, with the involvement of media professionals, university students and schoolchildren; and the importance of establishing a specialized center for marine turtles.