The protection of the Egyptian coastlines, extending for more than 3000 km along the Mediterranean and the Red Sea is one of the main priorities of the Egyptian Government. The effective management of coastal zones requires partnership with a number of stakeholder ministries and authorities, as well as collaborative efforts with other environmental management schemes, such as protectorates management and environmental impact assessment.

The strategy for the effective management of coastal zones involves the combating of the environmental adverse impact on the marine and coastal resources, through the implementation of measures aiming at reducing air, water and soil pollution as well as monitoring the different coastal development activities and declaration of protected areas within the coastal zones.

One important milestone achieved in 2000/2001 was the activation of the National Committee of the Integrated coastal Zone Management, primarily composed of the various governmental bodies and authorities concerned with different aspects of coastal zones management, as well as representatives of academic institutions, the private sector, and NGO's. The committee identified four main priority areas for action, encompassing pollution prevention in the area of Gulf of Suez, urban development in the Red Sea region, biodiversity conservation in Gulf of Aqaba region and the combat of erosion along the Mediterranean coastline.

Future plans for integrated coastal zones management primarily rely on the implementation of an action plan entailing cooperation and smooth coordination between all concerned governmental bodies and authorities, on the basis of well defined roles and responsibilities for these different entities, with the aim of ensuring their effective contribution, each in its field of competence.