The round-table for the exchange of experiences between Egypt and France in the field of proper management of air quality in urban areas started today which is organized by the EEAA in cooperation with the French Center for studies , research and economical, social and legal documentation , the French University E.P.H.E , and the French National Center for Research (CNRS) over two days to present and discuss the Egyptian experience in the field of the management of air quality in Greater Cairo and the French experience in the field of the management of air quality in the city of Ouagadougou-Burkina Faso.
Dr. / Mawaheb Abul Azm – the CEO of the Egyptian Environmental Affairs Agency Emphasized that the meetings will provide detailed presentations on programs and projects implemented by the State to improve air quality in Egypt to exchange views and experiences between both sides Egypt and France , and to benefit from the advanced French experience in facing air pollution problems especially the one carried out by France in Ouagadougou city-capital of Burkina Faso for the management of air quality there in order to reach important results and recommendations that could be taken into consideration when formulating improving air quality plans and policies especially in urban areas.
She pointed out that these meetings reflect the keenness of both sides the Egyptian and the French to enhance the cooperation between northern and southern Mediterranean countries to work on improving the region environment and reduce the pollution levels from various sources in the light of the increase in population levels experienced by many countries of the region especially in major cities and the expansion of development projects in different fields.
The Ministry of State for Environmental Affairs has established a national network for monitoring air quality which started in 1998 by 44 monitoring stations which were increased during the past five years to be 78 monitoring stations through which monitoring the pollutants concentrations take place over the 24-hour and calculating the important indicators about air quality in Egypt.
Egypt has taken actions aiming not only at improving air quality in urban areas and reducing fuel consumption but also at reducing greenhouse gas emissions to address climate change.
The Ministry of Environment gives great interest to the field of reducing industrial pollution by encouraging existing industries to implement environmental friendly projects and programs and encourage them to reduce emissions to the permitted limit including the implementation of the second phase of the Industrial Pollution Abatement Project of a budget of 1200 million pounds in the form of financing packages for the owners of the existing industrial projects for the implementation of compliance action plan for the great Facilities in Greater Cairo and Alexandria Governorate, in addition to reducing polluting emissions from the industrial sector.
The ministry is also working in coordination with the ministries and concerned governorates to re-formulate a national strategy for integrated management of municipal waste depends on encouraging the recycling of waste and the creation of economic value to them in addition to the creation of safe and sanitary landfills for final disposal.