Egypt's Ministry of Planning, Economic Development, and International Cooperation announced on Sunday 18 winning projects under the National Initiative for Smart Green Projects. These projects were selected from 354 finalists, which emerged from an impressive 5,797 initial submissions. Speaking at the Third Conference of the National Initiative for Smart Green Projects, Minister Rania Al-Mashat highlighted the initiative's significance, stating that it is "a pioneering model of innovative partnerships, bringing together national institutions, development partners, UN organisations, civil society, and local authorities to drive localised climate action." The initiative is held under the patronage of President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi. Since its launch, the initiative has gained widespread participation from companies of all sizes—large enterprises, SMEs, and startups—reflecting Egypt's commitment to sustainable development, the minister added. The third edition alone saw over 5,700 project entries across critical sectors, including sustainable agriculture, renewable energy, waste recycling, water conservation, and emissions reduction. Following a rigorous and transparent selection process, 354 projects advanced to the final round, with 18 ultimately emerging as winners for their groundbreaking contributions. Beyond its direct environmental impact, Minister Al-Mashat stated that the initiative has played a crucial role in youth capacity-building, fostering a culture of innovation, and strengthening local engagement in climate action. Furthermore, it has provided a global platform for Egyptian companies to showcase their solutions, with winning projects featured at COP28 in the UAE and set to participate in COP29 in Azerbaijan. With sustainability at its core, Egypt's National Smart Green Initiative is setting new benchmarks for climate-conscious development and innovation. Attribution: Amwal Al Ghad English
