Egypt’s Minister of Environment, Yasmine Fouad, held a virtual meeting with Norwegian Minister of Climate and Environment, Andreas Bjelland Eriksen, as part of ongoing informal consultations in preparation for the next round of negotiations on a legally binding global treaty to end plastic pollution.
The meeting brought together senior officials from Egypt’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Ministry of Environment, including Tamer Mostafa, Director of the Department of Environment, Climate and Sustainable Development; Soha Taher, Head of the Central Department for International Cooperation; and Yousra Abdelaziz, Head of the Plastic Unit at the Ministry of Environment.
Minister Fouad underscored the value of informal dialogue in fostering mutual understanding and trust within multilateral environmental frameworks. She noted that Egypt has played an active role in various international environmental initiatives and brings a balanced perspective shaped by its status as a developing country and a member of the African continent.
“As a developing nation, Egypt recognises the developmental challenges facing many countries,” Fouad said. She emphasised that Egypt has taken a holistic approach to the treaty negotiations, assembling a broad-based delegation comprising representatives from the ministries of environment, foreign affairs, petroleum, and industry, in addition to private sector stakeholders. This, she said, ensures the country advocates for a just and inclusive transition.
Fouad highlighted Egypt’s proactive steps to reduce plastic pollution, including the implementation of extended producer responsibility (EPR) and measures to limit the use of single-use plastic bags. She stressed that the upcoming treaty must prioritise the goal of ending plastic pollution while providing adequate transitional periods and implementation support tailored to national contexts.
Minister Eriksen welcomed Egypt’s constructive participation in the treaty process and echoed the importance of informal talks in advance of formal negotiations, which are scheduled to take place in Geneva next month.
“These consultations are essential for clarifying national priorities and achieving consensus on treaty language, especially given the diverse global perspectives on plastic pollution,” Eriksen said.
He emphasised the need for flexibility in the negotiating process to ensure meaningful progress and agreement. “It’s not just about setting up a financial mechanism – it’s about defining what we are funding,” he added, pointing to the importance of capacity-building, innovative financing solutions, and active engagement from the private sector to enable successful implementation of treaty obligations.
