Egypt steps up biosphere, geopark plans with UNESCO

Egypt’s Minister of Higher Education and Scientific Research and Head of the Egyptian National Commission for UNESCO Ayman Ashour and Minister of Environment Yasmine Fouad held a meeting with Director of UNESCO’s Regional Office in Cairo Nuria Sanz and her accompanying delegation to explore ways to enhance cooperation on Man and the Biosphere (MAB) Programme.

The discussions focused on strengthening joint efforts to preserve natural resources, protect biodiversity and cultural heritage, and advance the Sustainable Development Goals.

The meeting also reviewed progress in Egypt’s declared biosphere natural reserves, Omayed and Wadi Allaqi, and explored the concept of geoparks as a means of supporting local communities by leveraging unique geological heritage for sustainable environmental and economic development.

UNESCO proposed designating Wadi El Gemal in the Red Sea Governorate as a model biosphere reserve due to its rich marine, terrestrial, and cultural diversity.

The idea of establishing a geopark in Fayoum Governorate was also discussed, based on its natural assets and existing protected areas, which could boost ecotourism and sustainability.

Both sides agreed to formulate a regional vision for managing biosphere reserves, to be led by Egypt through a partnership between the Egyptian National Commission for UNESCO, UNESCO’s Regional Office in Cairo, the Ministry of Environment, and representatives of Arab countries.

This regional vision will be presented at the 2025 UNESCO World Congress of Biosphere Reserves, scheduled to be held in China in late September. The congress, held every ten years, brings together the global network of biosphere reserves to set priorities and coordinate future action plans.

Attribution: Amwal Al Ghad English

Subediting: M. S. Salama