Egypt, India explore deeper cooperation on climate action, waste management
Egypt’s Minister of Local Development and Acting Minister of Environment, Manal Awad, met with India’s Minister of State for External Affairs, Environment, Forest and Climate Change, Shri Kirti Vardhan Singh, in Cairo to discuss expanding bilateral cooperation across a broad range of environmental and climate-related fields, the Egyptian Ministry of Environment said.
The talks, attended by senior officials from both sides, focused on strengthening cooperation in environmental emergency response centres, plastic waste reduction, climate change mitigation and adaptation, biofuels, water quality, wetland protection, biodiversity conservation, and the sustainable use of natural resources.
Awad said Egypt was keen to build on the expertise of its environmental institutions—particularly the Egyptian Environmental Affairs Agency—in areas such as environmental emergency preparedness and response, noting that this experience could support joint initiatives with India. She also highlighted Egypt’s interest in reducing plastic pollution and coordinating positions in ongoing international negotiations on a global plastics agreement.
The meeting reviewed opportunities for cooperation on renewable and alternative energy sources, including the production and use of biofuels, as well as measures to improve water efficiency, protect wetlands, and conserve biodiversity. Awad stressed that these priorities are closely linked to sustainable development goals and climate resilience efforts in both countries.
According to the ministry, discussions also included proposals to renew and expand cooperation with Indian research and policy institutions. These would cover the development of national and international environmental policies, the safe management of electronic and medical waste, and waste-to-energy solutions. Particular emphasis was placed on building technical capacity to manage agricultural waste, such as rice straw and sugarcane residues, and on transferring Indian biotechnology expertise to improve efficiency in this area.
Awad pointed to the potential benefits of Indian technical and economic cooperation programmes in training Egyptian professionals in environmental fields, saying such initiatives could strengthen Egypt’s ability to address environmental and development challenges. She added that Egypt welcomed increased Indian investment in environmental projects and green solutions.
The talks also touched on an invitation extended by the Indian embassy in Cairo for Egypt to join the International Big Cats Alliance, an Indian-led initiative aimed at protecting seven major species of big cats, including tigers, lions, and cheetahs.
Awad reaffirmed Egypt’s interest in deepening cooperation with India on environmental governance, climate action, and new and renewable energy, particularly green hydrogen and green ammonia. She noted that Egypt’s experience in reducing carbon emissions and advancing a just energy transition could provide a strong foundation for closer collaboration.
For his part, Singh welcomed enhanced cooperation with Egypt, praising Awad’s oversight of both the environment and local development portfolios. He highlighted the close link between social and local development and environmental policy, particularly in areas such as energy access and rural development.
Singh said renewable energy—especially solar power—is a cornerstone of India’s energy strategy, accounting for around 40% of its energy mix, and expressed interest in expanding cooperation with Egypt on bioenergy and extended producer responsibility. He also invited Egypt to consider joining an Indian-led initiative on climate-resilient infrastructure.
The meeting underscored the growing scope of environmental cooperation between Egypt and India, as both countries seek to align climate action with sustainable development and economic growth.
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