Egypt’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, International Co-operation and Egyptian Expatriates, on Monday hosted the signing ceremony of a grant agreement of the Circular Electronics Initiative in Egypt.
The ceremony was attended by Minister of Foreign Affairs Badr Abdel-Aati, Minister of Local Development and Environment Manal Awad, and Swiss Ambassador to Egypt Andreas Baum.
Under the agreement, the Swiss State Secretariat for Economic Affairs (SECO) will provide a grant of 1.4 million Swiss francs to Egypt’s Ministry of Local Development and Environment, represented by the Waste Management Regulatory Authority.
The initiative falls under the Egyptian-Swiss Technical and Financial Co-operation Framework Agreement signed in 2013. It aims to strengthen the institutional and regulatory framework for the sustainable reuse and recycling of electronic waste. The project also seeks to promote the circular economy and improve resource efficiency.
Addressing the ceremony, Abdel-Aati described the agreement as another milestone in the long-standing partnership between Egypt and Switzerland.
He said it reflects the two countries’ shared commitment to sustainable development and stronger bilateral co-operation.
The Foreign Minister noted that the two countries have enjoyed more than 90 years of diplomatic relations and over 45 years of successful development co-operation.
He added that the launch of the Fourth Swiss Co-operation Programme in Egypt in 2025 marked a new phase in expanding the partnership.
For her part, Minister of Local Development and Environment Manal Awad said the initiative comes at a critical time as Egypt steps up efforts to improve sustainable waste management.
She described electronic waste as one of the world’s fastest-growing waste streams, presenting both environmental challenges and promising opportunities for the green and circular economy.
