Egypt's Minister of Environment Yasmine Fouad held a meeting with Chair of the Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee (INC) on plastic pollution Luis Vayas Valdivieso to discuss key environmental issues on the sidelines of the 20th African Ministerial Conference on the Environment (AMCEN), held in Nairobi from 14 to 18 July 2025. The discussion focused on efforts to reduce single-use plastic bags, with Fouad praising the UN Environment Programme's role in advancing multilateral negotiations on a global treaty to curb plastic pollution. She stressed that effective implementation is just as crucial as drafting the text and underscored the need for a strong intergovernmental process to ensure the treaty's success. Outlining Egypt's national position, Fouad called for a just transition for developing countries, supported by adequate, independent financing, capacity building, and affordable technology transfer. She noted that Egypt had already taken steps to phase out single-use plastic bags, including issuing a decree to apply extended producer responsibility. The minister expressed hope that the upcoming Geneva round of negotiations would bring substantial progress and consensus on the treaty. She said Egypt would participate with a comprehensive delegation involving several ministries and private sector representatives, highlighting the country's inclusive approach to tackling plastic pollution. Attribution: Amwal Al Ghad English Subediting: M. S. Salama
