Egypt’s environment minister champions plastic treaty and mediterranean protection at UN Ocean Conference

By Abbas Nazil

Egypt’s Minister of Environment, Yasmine Fouad, chaired the closing session commemorating the 50th anniversary of the Mediterranean Action Plan and the 30th anniversary of the Barcelona Convention during the 3rd United Nations Ocean Conference (UNOC3) in Nice, France.

The high-level gathering, held on the conference’s sidelines, brought together 11 environment ministers and 3 deputy ministers from across the Mediterranean region, along with Tatjana Hema, Coordinator of the UN Environment Programme’s Mediterranean Action Plan (UNEP/MAP).

The event consisted of two thematic sessions. The first celebrated success stories among member states in marine protection, pollution prevention, regional collaboration, monitoring, and integrated coastal management.

The second focused on future strategies, particularly addressing single-use plastics, exploring sustainable financing options, and enhancing cooperative efforts for plastic pollution control.

Minister Fouad emphasized the event as a crucial moment to reflect on the Mediterranean’s environmental legacy and renew collective commitments.

She described the Mediterranean as not only an ecological space but also a cradle of shared cultural identity and history.

“This gathering embodies the spirit of Mediterranean solidarity and ambition,” Fouad said.

“It is not just about preserving the environment, but safeguarding our culture, identity, and shared humanity.”

Acknowledging the contributions of the French Minister of Environment, Fouad praised 15 years of collaborative achievements and expressed optimism for continued progress leading up to future milestones, including the 60th anniversary of the Barcelona Convention.

Fouad highlighted the pressing need to intensify regional efforts against pollution, especially the escalating threat of plastic waste in the Mediterranean.

With the fifth session of the Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee (INC 5.2) on a global plastics treaty approaching in August, Fouad underscored the need for a legally binding international agreement.

She stated that such a treaty could serve as a turning point in global efforts to eliminate plastic pollution.

She advocated for a dedicated financial mechanism to support treaty implementation and relieve overdependence on existing institutions like the Global Environment Facility (GEF).

In bilateral talks with Jessica Roswall, European Commissioner for Environment, Water Resilience, and Competitive Circular Economy, Minister Fouad discussed aligning positions on the upcoming treaty and reinforcing cooperation between Egypt and the EU, particularly in biodiversity finance under the post-2020 global biodiversity framework.

Fouad emphasized the need for fair financial responsibilities, warning against placing excessive burdens on developing nations or unfairly shifting costs to the private sector.

She also stressed the importance of technology transfer, especially in enabling the transition away from single-use plastics.

“Access to viable alternatives depends on technology. Funding must support innovation and accessibility,” she asserted.

In his closing remark, Minister Fouad called for global unity on key pillars—equitable financing, technology access, and shared responsibilities—essential to creating a robust and inclusive global treaty to end plastic pollution.