Egypt, Algeria Discuss Environmental Initiatives, Park Project

Algeria's Minister of Environment and Quality of Life, Kawthar Krikou, met with Dr. Manal Awad, Egypt's Minister of Local Development and Environment, to discuss avenues for environmental cooperation. The bilateral talks, held during the 37th session of the Council of Arab Ministers Responsible for Environmental Affairs, covered critical areas including various types of waste management, green economy principles, pollution control, desertification, biodiversity, and nature protection.

Minister Krikou highlighted Algeria's comprehensive waste management system, detailing its mechanisms for collection, transport, and recycling. She underscored the nation's significant emphasis on recycling to foster job creation, actively encouraging youth participation in recycling projects through incentives. The minister also noted the essential role of Algerian rural women in waste sorting and recycling, supported by the state's provision of appropriate treatment facilities. A national project, overseen by the Algerian President, aims to convert the country's largest waste dump into a substantial public park, mirroring successful environmental transformation initiatives elsewhere.

The discussions further extended to nature protection, with both ministers expressing interest in exchanging expertise. Algeria maintains 12 national land and marine reserves and is keen on sharing experiences in this domain as well as in biodiversity. Minister Krikou extended an invitation to her Egyptian counterpart to visit Algeria to observe its sustainable environmental solutions firsthand. Additionally, the Egyptian minister was invited to participate in an event hosted by Algeria at its dedicated pavilion during the upcoming Conference of the Parties (COP) on climate change, reinforcing a call for a unified Arab position at the conference.