Egypt's Minister of Local Development Manal Awad said that the ministry is working to boost private sector participation in the country's solid waste management system, with plans to raise waste treatment and recycling rates from 35 to 60 per cent by the end of 2026, as per a Cabinet statement. Her remarks came during a meeting of the House of Representatives' Local Administration Committee, held to assess the implementation of Law No. 202/2020 on waste management and its executive regulations (PM Decree No. 722/2022). Awad said her ministry is planning to enhance the role of Cairo and Giza cleanliness and beautification authorities, collaborate with other ministries to address funding gaps in solid waste management, and improve cleaning services and waste collection systems. The Minister of Local Development added that the government is coordinating with the Ministry of Finance to secure the required funding to ensure sustainability and success of the system, according to the statement. Ahmed El-Segini, chairman of parliament's local government committee, praised the comprehensive government briefing presented during the session and affirmed the alignment between the committee's vision and the government's goals for the sector. He also stressed the importance of continuing efforts to enhance regulatory tools, governance, and oversight, as well as implementing the waste fee structure stipulated by law, as stated in the release. El-Sigini called for sustained financial and institutional support from the Ministries of Finance and Electricity to local authorities to ensure long-term efficiency and private sector contract fulfilment. Attribution: Amwal Al Ghad English Subediting: M. S. Salama
