Click here to go to the following issues:
Economic Aspects | Natural Resource Aspects | Institutional Aspects | Social Aspects |Egypt
Click here to go to these sections:
The Egyptian Environmental Affairs Agency (EEAA) has set up a Committee for Sustainable
Development which will direct its work towards networking with all the involved parties to
knit a common strategy for the process of sustainable development.
Decision-Making: Legislation and Regulations
In January 1994, a new Environmental Protection Law was adopted by the People's Assembly. It complements previous environment related laws but covers areas which were not adequately addressed before, such as air and noise pollution abatement, protection of the marine and coastal environment and hazardous waste management.
The law provides for the use of environmental management mechanisms which include
command and control measures such as the setting of appropriate standards, the application
of the polluter pays principle (through the implementation of penalties and fines) and the
use of environmental impact assessments (EIAs). The law also provides economic tools. For
the first time in Egyptian law, there is a provision for economic incentives and tools,
envisaged to create a framework conducive to the protection of the environment.
Decision-Making: Strategies, Policies and Plans
A draft National Agenda 21 was prepared which defines the roles of the various government agencies within the framework of the Earth Summit with a view to avoiding overlap of responsibilities. Environmental units are established in sector ministries and at the local government level which coordinate with the national body, the EEAA. A number of pilot projects are already being implemented at the local level. To further enhance the decentralization of environmental management, EEAA is currently in the process of establishing eight regional branch offices to cover the various Egyptian governorates. The branches are in different phases of completion.
The actions of EEAA fully complement the initiatives of the Egyptian Prime Minister in his preparation of a National Document for the 21st Century, presented to President Hosni Mubarak in 1997.
The law sets the tasks and responsibilities of the Egyptian Environmental Affairs
Agency (EEAA), providing it with the authority and leverage necessary to implement the law
and its regulations. The EEAA has embarked on the ambitious task of implementing the
National Environmental Action Plan, prepared in 1992 with assistance from the World Bank
and the donor community.
Decision-Making: Major Groups involvement
No information available.
Programmes and Projects
No information available.
Status
National Decision-Making Structure |
| 1. National Sustainable Development Coordination Body: | IN PROCESS |
| 2. National Sustainable Development Policy: | IN PROCESS |
| 3. National Agenda 21/other strategy for SD | IN PROCESS |
| 4. Local/Regional Agenda(s) 21: | NO |
| 5. Environmental Impact Assessment Law: | YES |
| 6. Major Groups involved in Sustainable Development Decision-Making: | YES |
National Instruments and Programmes |
| 1. Sustainable. Dev. or environmental education incorporated into school curricula: | YES |
| 2. Sustainable Development Indicators Program: | NO |
| 3. Ecolabel Regulations: | NO |
| 4. Recycle/Reuse Programs: | IN PROCESS |
| 5. Green Accounting Program: | NO |
| 6. Access to Internet: | YES |
| 7. Access to World Wide Web: | YES |
| 8. National World Wide Web Site for Sustainable Development or State of the Environment: | NO |
Policies, Programmes and Legislation |
| 1. Combatting poverty: | YES |
| 2. Changing consumption and production patterns: | NO |
| 3. Atmosphere: | IN PROCESS |
| 4. Land Use Planning: | IN PROCESS |
| 5. Forest and Deforestation: | NO |
| 6. Desertification and Drought: | IN PROCESS |
| 7. Sustainable Mountain Development: | NO |
| 8. Sustainable Agriculture: | IN PROCESS |
| 9. Biological Diversity: | YES |
| 10. Biotechnology: | IN PROCESS |
| 11. Oceans and Coastal Areas: | YES |
| 12. Freshwater Management: | YES |
| 13. Toxic Chemicals: | YES |
| 14. Hazardous Wastes: | YES |
| 15. Solid Wastes: | YES |
| 16. Radioactive Wastes: | YES |
| 17. Energy: | IN PROCESS |
| 18. Transport: | IN PROCESS |
| 19. Sustainable Tourism: | IN PROCESS |
Challenges
No information is available. Capacity-building,
Education, Training and Awareness-raising
No information is available. Information
Currently in process as well is the Environmental Information and Monitoring Program (EIMP) and the Environmental Information System Project which will assist GOE decision-makers to formulate and implement timely and appropriate environmental policies, legislation and programs.
Research
and Technologies
No information is available.
Financing
The Environmental Protection Law also provides for the creation of an environmental protection and development fund to be managed by the EEAA. This fund's objectives are to support demonstration and pilot projects, address environmental disasters, assist environmental research and training, and support environmental promotion activities. It will be financed through state budget allocations, the tourism and environment fund, income from natural protectorates, penalties, fines and charges, and contributions from donors.
Cooperation
No information is available.
* * *
This information is based on Egypt's submission to the 5th and 6th Sessions of the United Nations Commission on Sustainable Development. Last update: June 1998
For the Egyptian
Environment Affairs Agency, click here.
For Egypt's Environmental
Information, click here.
For national
organizations working in decision-making, click here.
For National Law (No.
4) for the Environment, click here.
For information on Environmental Law around the
World, click here:
| Egypt | All Countries | Home |
WOMEN
Decision-Making: Coordinating BodiesNo information is available.
Decision-Making: Legislation and Regulations
No information is available.
Decision-Making: Strategies, Policies and Plans
Egypt aims to empower women and give them an equal and parallel opportunity to men.
Along these lines, a number of steps have been taken to achieve equality in all aspects of
society including issuing a strategy by year 2000 to eliminate obstacles to full
participation of women in sustainable development.
Decision-Making: Major Groups involvement
No information is available.
Programmes and Projects
No information is available.
Status
No information is available.
Challenges
No information is available.
Capacity-building, Education, Training and Awareness-raising
Educational material and curricula promote gender relevant knowledge. Mechanisms are in
place to assess implementation and impact of development and environment policies and
programmes on women.
Information
No information is available.
Research and Technologies
No information is available.
Financing
No information is available.
Cooperation
The Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women was signed on 16 July 1980; ratified on 18 September 1984.
* * *
This information is based on Egypts submission to the 5th Session of the United Nations Commission on Sustainable Development, April 1997. Last update: 1 April 1997
Click here for information on Women's
Watch in Egypt
Click
here for the National Action Plan for Women.
CHILDREN AND YOUTH
Decision-Making: Coordinating Bodies
No information is available.
Decision-Making: Legislation and Regulations
No
information is available.
Decision-Making: Strategies, Policies and Plans
No
information is available.
Decision-Making: Major Groups Involvement
No
information is available.
No information is available.
Status
Egypt intends to ensure that by the year 2000 more than 50% of youth -- gender balanced -- will have access to appropriate secondary education or vocational training. It has ad hoc processes that promote dialogue between the youth and government at all levels and mechanisms that permit youth access to information and opportunity to present their views on implementing Agenda 21.
Challenges
No
information is available.
Capacity-building, Education, Training and Awareness-raising
No
information is available.
Information
No
information is available.
Research and Technologies
No
information is available.
Financing
No
information is available.
Cooperation
No information is available.
* * *
This information is based on Egypt's submission to the 5th Session of the United Nations Commission on Sustainable Development, April 1997. Last update: April 1997.
INDIGENOUS PEOPLE
Decision-Making: Coordinating Bodies
No information is available.
Decision-Making: Legislation and Regulations
No
information is available.
Decision-Making: Strategies, Policies and Plans
No
information is available.
Decision-Making: Major Groups Involvement
No information is available.
No information is available.
Status
A process to empower indigenous people and their communities -- through policies and legal instruments -- is in place. This process includes discussion of mechanisms to involve indigenous people in resource management strategies and programmes at the national and local level.
Challenges
No
information is available.
Capacity-building, Education, Training and Awareness-raising
No
information is available.
Information
No
information is available.
Research and Technologies
No
information is available.
Financing
No
information is available.
Cooperation
No information is available.
* * *
This information is based on Egypt's submission to the 5th Session of the United Nations Commission on Sustainable Development, April 1997. Last update: April 1997.
NON-GOVERNMENTAL ORGANIZATIONS
Decision-Making: Coordinating Bodies
No information is available.
Decision-Making: Legislation and Regulations
No information is available.
Decision-Making: Strategies, Policies and Plans
No
information is available.
Decision-Making: Major Groups Involvement
No
information is available.
No information is available.
Status
Many mechanisms for NGO participation exist, as detailed in the relevant substantive sections of this report. Egypt considers the inputs of NGOs to be important.
Challenges
No
information is available.
Capacity-building, Education, Training and Awareness-raising
No
information is available.
Information
No
information is available.
Research and Technologies
No
information is available.
Financing
No
information is available.
Cooperation
No information is available.
* * *
This information is based on Egypt's submission to the 5th Session of the United Nations Commission on Sustainable Development, April 1997. Last update: April 1997.
For information on Environmental NGOs in Egypt, click here.
LOCAL AUTHORITIES
Decision-Making: Coordinating Bodies
No
information is available.
Decision-Making: Legislation and Regulations
No
information is available.
Decision-Making: Strategies, Policies and Plans
No
information is available.
Decision-Making: Major Groups Involvement
No
information is available.
No information is available.
Status
The Government of Egypt supports Local Agenda 21 initiatives.
Challenges
No information is available.
Capacity-building, Education, Training and Awareness-raising
No information is available.
Information
No information is available.
Research and Technologies
No information is available.
Financing
No information is available.
Cooperation
No information is available.
* * *
This information is based on Egypt's submission to the 5th Session of the United Nations Commission on Sustainable Development, April 1997. Last update: 1 April 1997.
For HABITAT II Best Practices Project in Africa, including Egypt, click here.
WORKERS AND UNIONS
Decision-Making: Coordinating Bodies
No
information is available.
Decision-Making: Legislation and Regulations
No
information is available.
Decision-Making: Strategies, Policies and Plans
No information is available.
Decision-Making: Major Groups Involvement
No
information is available.
Programmes and Projects
No
information is available.
Status
Egypt has ratified the conventions of the International Labour Organisation.
Challenges
No
information is available.
Capacity-building, Education, Training and Awareness-raising
No information is available.
Information
No
information is available.
Research and Technologies
No
information is available.
Financing
No
information is available.
No information is available.
* * *
This information is based on Egypt's submission to the 5th Session of the United Nations Commission on Sustainable Development, April 1997. Last update: 1 April 1997.
BUSINESS AND INDUSTRY
Decision-Making: Coordinating Bodies
No information is available.
Decision-Making: Legislation and Regulations
No information is available.
Decision-Making: Strategies, Policies and Plans
No
information is available.
Decision-Making: Major Groups Involvement
No
information is available.
Programmes and Projects
No
information is available.
Status
Several big enterprises, as well as a number of small- and medium-sized enterprises, have adopted sustainable development policies. Government policies aim to increase the efficiency of resource use, including reuse, recycling, and reduction of waste per unit of economic output.
Challenges
No information is available.
Capacity-building, Education, Training and Awareness-raising
No information is available.
Information
No information is available.
Research and Technologies
No information is available.
Financing
No information is available.
Cooperation
No information is available.
* * *
This information is based on Egypt's submission to the 5th Session of the United Nations Commission on Sustainable Development, April 1997. Last update: April 1997.
SCIENTIFIC AND TECHNOLOGICAL COMMUNITY
Decision-Making: Coordinating Bodies
No information is available.
Decision-Making: Legislation and Regulations
No
information is available.
Decision-Making: Strategies, Policies and Plans
No
information is available.
Decision-Making: Major Groups Involvement
No
information is available.
No information is available.
Status
The scientific community has already established ways in which to address the general public and to deal with sustainable development.
Challenges
No information is available.
Capacity-building, Education, Training and Awareness-raising
No information is available.
Information
No information is available.
Research and Technologies
No information is available.
Financing
No information is available.
Cooperation
No information is available.
* * *
This information is based on Egypt's submission to the 5th Session of the United Nations Commission on Sustainable Development, April 1997. Last update: April 1997.
FARMERS
Decision-Making: Coordinating BodiesNo information available.
Decision-Making: Legislation and Regulations
No information available.
Decision-Making: Strategies, Policies and Plans
A strategy is being implemented by the Ministry of Agriculture to promote and encourage sustainable farming practices and technologies.
Decision-Making: Major Groups involvement
No information available.
Programmes and Projects
No information is available.
Status
No information is available.
Challenges
No information is available.
Capacity-building, Education, Training and Awareness-raising
No information is available.
Information
No information is available.
Research and Technologies
No information is available.
Financing
No information is available.
Cooperation
No information is available.
* * *
This information is based on Egypt's submission to the 5th Session of the United Nations Commission on Sustainable Development, April 1997. Last update: 1 April 1997.
| Egypt | All Countries | Home |
Decision-Making: Coordinating Bodies
No information is available.
Decision-Making: Legislation and Regulations
No information is available.
Decision-Making: Strategies, Policies and Plans
No information is available.
Decision-Making: Major Groups Involvement
No information is available.
Programmes and Projects
No information is available.
Status
No information is available.
No information is available.
Capacity-building, Education, Training and Awareness-raising
Egypt has 46,022 scientists, engineers and technicians engaged in research and experimental development. To improve long term scientific capacity, a number of steps have been taken. These include building awareness and preparedness for emergencies at the local level (APELL); creation of the Environmental Information and Monitoring Programme (EIMP); institutional support to the Egyptian Environmental Affairs Agencys Environmental Information Centre, and the Organizational Support Program (OSP) to EEAA (Egyptian Environmental Affairs Agency).
Information
No information is available.
Research and Technologies
No information is available.
Financing
No information is available.
Cooperation
No information is available.
* * *
This information is based on Egypt's submission to the 5th Session of the United Nations Commission on Sustainable Development, April 1997. Last update: April 1997
| Egypt | All Countries | Home |
One of the responsibilities of the Committee for Sustainable Development established by
the Egyptian Environmental Affairs Agency (EEAA) is strengthening international and
regional cooperation to promote sustainable development by creating a system of periodic
reporting directed towards decision makers and by compiling databases about the involved
parties.
Decision-Making: Legislation and Regulations
No information is available.
Decision-Making: Strategies, Policies and Plans
No information is available.
Decision-Making: Major Groups involvement
No information is available.
Programmes and Projects
Currently in process as well are the Environmental Information and Monitoring Programme (EIMP) and the Environmental Information System Project which will assist GOE decision-makers to formulate and implement timely and appropriate environmental policies, legislation and programs.
The Egyptian Environmental Information System (EEIS) will be expected to produce timely and accurate environmental status reports which will be used to inform the Cabinet, others in Government and the public. The EEIS will also be used to assist in developing environmental projects and policy options, and in monitoring and enforcing compliance with environmental regulation.
The Environmental Information and Monitoring Programme consists of five individual
projects, namely: institutional support, coastal water monitoring, air pollution
monitoring, database on pollution sources, and reference lab.
Status
Upgrading of the Environmental Documentation Centre at EEAA is currently taking place. The aim is to create a national focal point for all environmental bibliographic information (published reports and grey literature). A link to the Internet has already been established.
The availability and quality of sustainable development information at the national level can be summarized as follows:
| Agenda 21 Chapters | Very good | Good | Some good data but many gaps | Poor | Remarks | |
| 2. | International cooperation and trade | x |
||||
| 3. | Combatting poverty | x |
||||
| 4. | Changing consumption patterns | x |
||||
| 5. | Demographic dynamics and sustainability | x |
||||
| 6. | Human health | x |
||||
| 7. | Human settlements | x |
||||
| 8. | Integrating E & D in decision-making | x |
||||
| 9. | Protection of the atmosphere | x |
||||
| 10. | Integrated planning and management of land resources | x |
||||
| 11. | Combatting deforestation | x |
||||
| 12. | Combatting desertification and drought | x |
||||
| 13. | Sustainable mountain development | x |
||||
| 14. | Sustainable agriculture and rural development | x |
||||
| 15. | Conservation of biological diversity | x |
||||
| 16. | Biotechnology | x |
||||
| 17. | Oceans, seas, coastal areas and their living resources | x |
||||
| 18. | Freshwater resources | x |
||||
| 19. | Toxic chemicals | x |
||||
| 20. | Hazardous wastes | x |
||||
| 21. | Solid wastes | x |
||||
| 22. | Radioactive wastes | x |
||||
| 24. | Women in sustainable development | x |
||||
| 25. | Children and youth | x |
||||
| 26. | Indigenous people | x |
||||
| 27. | Non-governmental organizations | x |
||||
| 28. | Local authorities | x |
||||
| 29. | Workers and trade unions | x |
||||
| 30. | Business and industry | x |
||||
| 31. | Scientific and technological community | x |
||||
| 32. | Farmers | x |
||||
| 33. | Financial resources and mechanisms | x |
||||
| 34. | Technology, cooperation and capacity-building | x |
||||
| 35. | Science for sustainable development | x |
||||
| 36. | Education, public awareness and training | x |
||||
| 37. | International cooperation for capacity-building | x |
||||
| 38. | International institutional arrangements | x |
||||
| 39. | International legal instruments | x |
||||
| 40. | Information for decision-making | x |
||||
Challenges
No information is available.
Capacity-building, Education, Training and Awareness-raising
No information is available.
Information
No information is available.
Research and Technologies
No information is available.
Financing
No information is available.
Cooperation
No information is available.
* * *
This information is based on Egypt's submission to the 5th Session of the United Nations Commission on Sustainable Development, April 1997. Last update: April 1997
For the Governmental information network, click here.
For national
information on indicators, click here. (Site has been under construction)
| Egypt | All Countries | Home |
No information provided, other than information already covered under relevant sectoral chapters.
| Natural Resource Aspects | Economic Aspects
| Social Aspects |
| Egypt | All Countries | Home |