• "Al Mashat": Increase green projects to reach 50% of total public investments in the FY 2024/2025 plan

• More than 10,000 students from 300 schools benefited from the Green Minds initiative

H.E. Dr. Rania A. Al-Mashat, Minister of Planning, Economic Development and International Cooperation, participated in the closing ceremony of the first phase of the Green Minds initiative, in the presence of Dr. Sherifa Sherif, Executive Director of the National Institute for Governance and Sustainable Development (NIGSD), with the participation of representatives from all governorates and those in charge of the initiative at NIGSD.

During her speech, H.E. Dr. Rania A. Al-Mashat explained that the Green Minds initiative represents a model of cooperation between various entities to achieve sustainable development, enhance environmental awareness, and empower future generations with tools for innovation and green thinking.

H.E. affirmed Egypt's firm commitment, under the leadership of H.E. President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi, to achieving sustainable development in line with Egypt's Vision 2030, which places the environmental dimension at the core of its economic and social policies, adding that based on that commitment, the Green Minds Initiative aims to spread the culture of sustainability and stimulate creative ideas that contribute to protecting the environment and promote the transition towards a green economy.

H.E. added that believing in the importance of instilling environmental awareness from an early age, noting that the initiative has focused on raising students' awareness of sustainability concepts and encouraging them to adopt environmentally friendly lifestyle practices, adding that through interactive programs and practical activities, the project seeks to lay the foundations for responsible behaviors based on reducing practices harmful to the environment, rationalizing resource consumption, and promoting a culture of recycling, to create generations capable of leading change and achieving a more sustainable future for Egypt.

Al-Mashat pointed out that the National Institute of Governance and Sustainable Development launched the pilot phase of the Green Minds initiative in 2022, in partnership with the National Council for Women and Tahya Misr schools. Due to the initiative's success, it was expanded in 2023 in cooperation with the Ministry of Education and Technical Education, with the aim of spreading environmental awareness and strengthening the culture of sustainability among students in public schools, adding that this helped expand its scope to include four governorates, including Cairo, Alexandria, Fayoum and Ismailia, as well as raising awareness among the families and teachers of the participating students, creating a supportive environment for adopting sustainable behaviors within and outside the school community.

She highlighted that the initiative has achieved a tangible impact, as more than 10,000 students in more than 45 schools, 300 student activity officials, and 100 families have benefited from it so far, explaining that at the conclusion of this phase, after two years of hard work, schools that have shown exceptional excellence and diligence in implementing the initiative's activities are honored and carefully selected to participate in the closing ceremony of the first phase in recognition of their outstanding efforts.

H.E. also added that the first phase witnessed inspiring student initiatives that embody the spirit of creativity and responsibility among ambitious youth, who presented promising ideas to preserve their surrounding environments, as these efforts are not just environmental activities, but practical steps towards building a culture of sustainability and enhancing environmental awareness among future generations.

Moreover, She emphasized that preparing young people for a more sustainable future has become an important necessity, in light of the risks posed by climate change, pointing to the efforts of the Ministry of Planning, Economic Development and International Cooperation in working to promote green investments, by including the environmental dimension in the planning system through the launch of the "Environmental Sustainability Standards Guide" and increasing green projects included in the investment plan projects for fiscal year 24/2025 to reach 50% of total public investments compared to 15% in 20/2021.

Al-Mashat also affirmed that the Ministry is implementing several other programs and initiatives, including the Country Platform for the NWFE Program, which represents an effective regional and international model and an approach to facilitating financing to address climate change issues: mitigation, adaptation, and resilience, with a focus on a just transition to a green economy.

H.E. applauded the fruitful partnership between the public and private sectors, which played a key role in the implementation of this initiative, confirming that the Ministry will remain a key supporter of all efforts and initiatives that promote sustainable development and stimulate young minds towards innovation for a more sustainable and prosperous future.