Recent Event
"The First Egyptian-International Conference on Protected Areas and Sustainable Development"
October 23 - 26, 2002, Sharm El-Sheikh, Egypt
Under The Auspices Of H.E. Mrs. Suzanne Mubarak
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Egypt is blessed with a rich and diverse natural heritage containing many unique features and resources not found elsewhere in the world. Realizing the importance of these invaluable resources for the future sustainable development of Egypt and recognizing their significance as part of the global heritage of humanity at large, the Egyptian Government has dedicated special attention to their development and management.
Based on this conviction, the Egyptian Government passed Law 102 for 1983 concerning natural protectorates, and has established an extensive network of 23 protected areas covering some 91,000 kmē representing about 9% of the nation's territory. It is planned to expand this network further to become comprehensively representative of all of Egypt's natural habitats and ecosystems, and to include a total of 40 protected areas, covering some 15-17 % of the nation's area by the year 2017. The sustainable and proper management of these most valuable segments of the country has been a primary concern to the Ministry of State for Environmental Affairs and the Egyptian Environmental Affairs Agency.
As part of Egypt's national and international commitment to nature conservation a "National Biodiversity Conservation Strategy and Action Plan" was developed and adopted as a national working document. The strategy establishes the national objectives in this field and proposes various priority activities and actions.
Economic viability of nature conservation efforts is important if they are to remain sustainable on the long run. In this context several national initiatives were undertaken: the valuation of protected areas and their potential contribution to the economic growth of the country, especially in relation to ecotourism; inclusion of protected areas in the National Investment and Land Use Map of Egypt; and the implementation of management planning in an increasing number of protected areas.
Efforts to maintain the protected area network and to enhance nature conservation in Egypt during the past two decades are substantial. They include the development of extensive infrastructure, such as visitor centers and educational facilities; the integration of local communities in protected area management; follow up of development activities in adjacent regions and the implementation of international and regional agreements concerning biodiversity conservation. Now the training center at Sharm El Sheikh has capabilities to conduct training courses for protected area personnel.
In this context, and on the occasion of celebrating 10 years on the signing of the Biodiversity Convention in 1992, 20 years on the promulgation of Law 102 for Protected Areas in Egypt, and in light of the up-coming World Summit on Sustainable Development to be held in Johannesburg, the Ministry of State for Environmental Affairs is convening the First Egyptian International Conference on Protected Areas, in acknowledgement of past achievements, and to set forth the future vision for Egypt's protected areas.
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Conference Objectives |
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This event will address issues of global concern that are related to conservation of Biodiversity and protected areas from an Egyptian prospective. We will examine protected areas as a sustainable development tool and the role of international development agencies, donors and conventions.
Egypt will present its plans of actions for two eco-geographic regions: the Mediterranean and the Red Sea coastal areas. Other countries are also invited to present their plans.
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Conference Themes |
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1. Protected areas and sustainable development.
2. Economics of nature conservation and protected areas.
3. Protected areas as a national and international planning and management tool.
4. Assessment of the role of protected areas in ecotourism development.
5. The relationship between protected areas and: education, local community development and environmental information.
6. Levels of biodiversity: Genes, species, habitats and ecosystems.
7. Role of donors and development agencies main projects in Biodiversity conservation.
8. Biodiversity, intellectual property rights and world trade.
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Participants |
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Representatives of:
· International and regional organisations
· Programs and secretariat of international agreements related to Biodiversity conservation
· Governmental and non-governmental organizations
· Donors and Funding Agencies
· Research institutions
· Tourist industries
In addition, a selection of eminent international and regional experts, interested groups, technical and developmental specialists in protected areas and Biodiversity conservation will be invited.
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Conference Duration |
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Four days during the period 23-26 October, 2002.
Conference sessions will be held for the first three days, and the last day (26 October) will be a field excursion day to visit some of the protected areas of the region.
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Conference Venue |
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The conference will be held at Sharm El Sheikh which is a young and vibrant tourist city overlooking the Gulf of Aqaba in South Sinai. It has an international airport and many high quality resorts. It is situated in a unique natural setting, surrounded by three protected areas, Ras Mohammed, St. Katherine and Nabq. The area encompasses some of the best diving destinations in the World. Sharm El Sheikh has been designated by UNESCO as the World City of Peace.
More information on Sharm El Sheikh
The Opening Session of the conference which will be inaugurated by H.E. Mrs. Suzanne Mubarak will take place at the conference hall of Movenpick Golf Hotel.
However the Official Conference Venue is the "Savoy Sharm El Sheikh Hotel", where all other sessions will take place.
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Conference Agenda |
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View the "Conference Agenda":
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Page 4
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Excursions |
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Field tours will be organized for the fourth day of the conference to Ras Mohammed. Program will be distributed.
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Exhibition |
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An exhibition will be held in parallel to the conference covering the following topics:
· Eco-tourism
· Egyptian Nature Conservation Sector's activities
· The activities of donor countries and organizations
· NGOs' activities
· Environmentally friendly investments
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Organizing Committee for the Conference |
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| · Prof. Dr. Mohammed Abdel Fatah El Kassas | Chairman |
| · Prof. Dr. Ayman Farid Abou Hadid | Member |
| · Prof. Dr. Essam El Badry | Member |
| · Chemist Ahmad Shehata | Member |
| · Dr. Sherif Bahaa El Din | Member |
| · Prof. Dr. Magdi Madkour | Member |
| · Prof. Dr. Sami Zalat | Member |
| · Dr. Mousa Ibrahim Mousa | Member |
| · Eng. Dahlia Lotayef | Member |
| · Dr. Emad El Din Adly | Member |
| · Mr. Mahmoud El Kaisouny | Member |
| · Mr. Mohammed Ibrahim | Member |
| · Prof. Dr. Mostafa Mokhtar Fouda | Secretary |
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Conference Secretariat |
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Note that registration is free. Participants are requested to provide for their accommodation and transportation. The Conference Secretariat has made provisional arrangements for hotels and local transport at special rates.
For further information,
Please contact the conference secretariat at the following address:
Dr. Mostafa Fouda, Conference Secretary
"Egyptian International Conference on Protected Areas and Sustainable Development"
Ministry of State for Environmental Affairs
Egyptian Environmental Affairs Agency
30, Misr-Helwan Zyrae Road
Maadi, Cairo
Tel: (202) 52 64 571
Fax: (202) 52 56 475 - (202) 52 56 461 - (202) 52 56 457 - (202) 52 71 391
e-mail: egyptpaconf@eeaa.gov.eg
Website: www.eeaa.gov.eg
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Conference Report |
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Download English Report
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Download Arabic Report
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