Egypt's Ministry of Environment has unveiled new measures to enhance the protection of migratory birds and promote eco-tourism, reinforcing the country's broader biodiversity strategy through collaboration with national and international partners. Environment Minister Yasmine Fouad met this week with Khaled El-Noubi, President of the Egyptian Society for Nature Conservation, and Tim Appleton, founder and director of the UK-based Global Birdfair, along with their delegation. During the meeting, a mural featuring various migratory bird species was presented and will be installed at the Galala Bird Observatory—symbolizing Egypt's enduring commitment to biodiversity conservation. Minister Fouad highlighted Egypt's longstanding leadership in environmental protection, dating back to 1983 when the Nature Conservation Sector laid the foundation for the country's environmental governance. A significant milestone came in 2014, when Egypt hosted the UN Convention on Biological Diversity. That event prompted the country to integrate wildlife protection into its growing renewable energy agenda—particularly to safeguard migratory birds. This dual focus yielded international recognition in 2019, when Egypt was awarded the AEWA (African-Eurasian Migratory Waterbird Agreement) Award for its efforts to protect birds along the Afro-Eurasian flyway. Among Egypt's practical steps is the development of birdwatching sites, beginning in Sharm El-Sheikh, where rehabilitated oxidation ponds have been repurposed to attract migratory species. The Ministry has also partnered with tourism operators to incorporate birdwatching into eco-tourism itineraries. Complementing these initiatives is the Eco Egypt campaign, which promotes 13 designated eco-destinations and raises public awareness of sustainable tourism. As part of this campaign, the Ministry—together with the Ministry of Tourism—introduced Egypt's first official standards for eco-lodges. Minister Fouad also discussed restoration efforts at Lake Qarun in Fayoum, a once-critical migratory bird stopover that suffered from severe environmental degradation. Since the Ministry's intervention in 2018, bird populations have returned to the lake within just three years—an early sign of ecological recovery. Fouad noted a growing public interest in wildlife, pointing to a recent photography exhibition by the Wildlife Conservation Association, which showcased images captured by local nature enthusiasts. The exhibit reflected an encouraging shift toward grassroots engagement in conservation. Khaled El-Noubi commended the Ministry's leadership in mitigating threats to migratory birds and creating a solid framework for eco-tourism. He underscored Egypt's rising profile as a birdwatching destination amid global growth in avian tourism, citing the success of the Galala Bird Observatory. The site has recorded thousands of migratory birds, including sightings of endangered species such as the Egyptian vulture. He noted that protective measures implemented there demonstrate Egypt's growing role in global conservation. Tim Appleton also praised Egypt's progress, calling the Galala initiative a strong example of how conservation and tourism can work in synergy. He emphasized the importance of international cooperation and local community engagement in addressing today's environmental challenges.
