Initiatives ... Institutional Initiatives   1- National Committee on Climate Change An inter-ministerial committee was formed in 1997 representing a wide range of governmental and non-governmental stakeholders. The Chief Executive Officer of the Egyptian Environmental Affairs Agency (EEAA) heads the committee, which is responsible for coordination, establishment, and communication of national policy on climate change.   2- Climate Change Capacity Building This initiative is a continuation of the previous GEF-assisted Capacity Building Project aimed at institutionalizing climate change issues on a national level. This second phase focuses on assessing technology needs for adaptation measures for coastal zones, agriculture, and water resources. Other activities include studying impacts on coral reefs and human health, and assessing technology needs to alleviate negative effects.   3- The Energy Efficiency Council (EEC) The EEC is a consortium of public and private agencies associated with the energy sector to guide the energy efficiency practice in Egypt. A key focus of the EEC is developing interagency cooperation to promote efficient use of energy resources. The council is currently overseeing the development of a National Energy Efficiency Strategy assisted through USAID’s Egyptian Environmental Policy Program (EEPP). The Council formed five working groups to evaluate issues that are critical to the development of the Strategy such as: quantitative targets, public-private partnerships, information integration, codes and standards, and training and outreach. The Strategy is expected to be completed during the first quarter of 2001.