Egypt's Prime Minister Mostafa Madbouly attended on Wednesday the signing of a ministerial agreement to implement a project funded by the World Bank to support Egypt's efforts to reduce air pollution in the Greater Cairo area. Also in attendance at the ceremony were representatives from the ministries of environment, local development, transportation, health; as well as the local governments of Cairo, Giza, and Qalioubiya governorates; and the Cairo Transportation Authority. The agreement comes a year after the World Bank's Board of Executives' directors approved the $200 million project. The WB-funded project mainly seeks to reduce vehicle emissions, improve decision-making regarding air and climate issues, as well as improve the management of solid waste. The signed agreement aims to achieve coordination among the parties involved and determine the mechanisms and general framework for the implementation of the project. Environment Minister Yasmine Fouad said the project will be implemented by the environment ministry with the help of other ministries and institutions. The anticipated project will have four main focuses: strengthening the decision-making support system on local air quality, supporting the implementation of plans to manage solid waste in the area, working on reducing the emissions of the public transportation system, and amending public behaviour and awareness concerning the issue. The annual economic cost borne by citizens whose health is affected by air pollution in the Greater Cairo area — one of the largest metropolitan areas in the world — is estimated at around 1.4 percent of Egypt's gross domestic product, the World Bank said last year, citing recent studies. Around 22.5 million people live in the Greater Cairo area, according to Egypt's statistical agency CAPMAS in 2016. It comprises the governorates of Cairo, Giza, as well as parts of the Qalioubiya governorate.
