In the field of protected areas and in light of the instructions of the President of the Republic, three new protectorates, namely, Siwa( Matrouh Governorate), the White Desert( New Valley governorate), and Wadi El Gamal- Hamata( Red Sea governorate) were declared both in last and present year to become 24 protected areas covering about 9% of the nation's territory. These protectorates represent the base of the environmental tourism in Egypt enriched by million visitors last year.

The projects of the protected areas' development in South Sinai are currently implemented in collaboration with the European Union, in the Red Sea Governorate in cooperation with USAID, in both El-Fayoum and Matrouh governorates with the support of the Italian Government, and in North Sinai, Kafr El-Sheikh and Matrouh governorates in cooperation with UNDP.

Besides, the Scientific and Administrative Centers were furnished by the necessary equipment and devices in about 50 % of the protected areas, for receiving the Egyptian and foreign visitors.

The preparation and issuance of the organizational structure of the management of Sinai protected areas are currently carried out as a tentative phase in parallel with the institutional development of the Red Sea protected areas as well as Nature Conservation Sector, in conformity with the future vision and the tasks of the expected development. This will ensure the enforcement and execution of the national laws and legislation as well as the international agreements so as to achieve sustainable development within and around the protectorates and to emphasize the commitment of the State to protect biodiversity for the species of national and international importance.

For further conservation of biodiversity, the project of Sustainable use and Conservation of Medicinal Plants in Arid and Semi -Arid lands is started to be implemented in collaboration with UNDP for 5 years with a budget of $5 million and in kind Egyptian cost sharing of 4 $ million.