By Abbas Nazil
Egypt and Mexico are strengthening their environmental cooperation with a renewed focus on addressing pressing global challenges such as desertification, climate change, and waste management.
Egypt’s Minister of Environment, Yasmine Fouad, held a high-level meeting with the Mexican Ambassador to Cairo, Leonora Rueda Gutierrez, to explore avenues for enhanced bilateral and multilateral collaboration, the Environment Ministry announced on Sunday.
The meeting, also attended by Ambassador Raouf Saad, Advisor for Multilateral Agreements, and a Foreign Ministry representative, opened with Ambassador Rueda congratulating Fouad on her recent appointment as Executive Secretary of the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD).
She expressed confidence in Fouad’s leadership, citing her vast experience in environmental governance and emphasizing the similarities in environmental conditions between Egypt, Mexico, and other developing countries.
Minister Fouad recalled the longstanding cooperation between the two nations, particularly in the context of global environmental conventions.
She noted the transition of the UN Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) presidency from Mexico to Egypt in 2018 as a milestone in their environmental partnership.
Fouad emphasized Egypt’s ongoing commitment to the green transition and promotion of circular economy initiatives, which are crucial for sustainable development.
The minister also drew attention to a global initiative launched by Egyptian President Abdel Fattah Al-Sisi during COP14, which advocates for the integration of the three Rio Conventions—climate change, biodiversity, and desertification.
Fouad described the interlinkages between these challenges as critical, especially for food security in vulnerable regions such as Africa.
As the world grapples with worsening climate impacts, increasing food insecurity, and environmental degradation, Fouad identified desertification as a key threat.
She stressed the significance of 2026, when all three Rio Conventions will hold their respective conferences.
According to Fouad, this alignment presents a rare opportunity to galvanize political momentum, foster international solidarity, and secure financing for comprehensive environmental action.
On a national level, Fouad detailed Egypt’s progress in implementing nature-based solutions along its coastlines to mitigate climate change effects.
These solutions, she explained, provide cost-effective, sustainable responses that support adaptation, biodiversity protection, and land use management—especially beneficial for resource-constrained nations.
Fouad also highlighted Egypt’s integrated waste management system, grounded in its 2020 national waste management law.
The system reflects circular economy principles and shifts operational responsibility to the private sector, supported by state investment and private partnerships.
Ambassador Rueda expressed Mexico’s keen interest in drawing from Egypt’s experience in transforming environmental challenges into economic opportunities.
She underscored common concerns such as the adverse effects of desertification and flash floods on agriculture.
Mexico, she added, is modernizing traditional farming methods and expanding educational initiatives on biodiversity and sustainability.
Closer collaboration with Egypt, Rueda said, could offer mutual benefits and shared solutions.