Environmental Affairs Agency Ramps Up Awareness on Climate and Pollution in Gharbia and Menoufia for COP24
Following the directives of Dr. Manal Awad—Minister of Local Development and Acting Minister of Environment—the Central Delta Regional Branch of the Environmental Affairs Agency has launched an intensive series of awareness activities across Gharbia and Menoufia. These efforts fall within Egypt’s national preparations to host the Barcelona COP24 Conference on the Protection of the Mediterranean Sea later this year.
Under this initiative, the branch organized multiple seminars and community-engagement events in schools and cultural institutes, targeting students, teachers, staff, and local residents. The sessions focused on key environmental challenges such as climate change, global warming, and plastic pollution, while also introducing the aims of COP24 and the importance of protecting the Mediterranean’s marine ecosystem.
Dr. Awad emphasized that community awareness is a cornerstone of Egypt’s strategy for COP24 preparation. She noted that strengthening environmental understanding across society is essential for empowering citizens to actively participate in addressing climate and pollution challenges. The Ministry, she added, is committed to promoting environmental stewardship through its regional branches, particularly around issues related to coastal protection, plastic waste, and climate resilience.
The awareness activities—conducted in cooperation with the education directorates of both governorates—were held at several schools and institutes including Al-Nahda School (Quweisna), the Azhar Institute in Shebin El-Kom, Mohamed Farid Preparatory School (Tanta), Al-Masaei Al-Mashkoora School (Quweisna), the Martyr Abdel-Azim Preparatory School (Barakat Al-Sab’), and Tanta Culture Palace.
During the sessions, the teams also explained the Barcelona Convention—originally signed in 1976 and updated in 1995—which serves as the Mediterranean’s primary framework for marine-environment protection. Participants learned about the convention’s goals: reducing pollution, safeguarding biodiversity, and promoting sustainable coastal-zone management.
The events saw strong engagement from students and educators, who participated in discussions on environmental protection and shared ideas on how to reduce pollution and conserve natural resources.
This initiative is part of the Ministry’s broader plan to strengthen public environmental awareness, support national climate-action efforts, and reinforce Egypt’s leadership in regional and international environmental cooperation ahead of hosting COP24.
