Egypt is stepping up efforts to transform the Red Sea city of Sharm El-Sheikh into a leading green tourism destination, as officials reviewed progress of the “Green Sharm” project aimed at cutting emissions, protecting biodiversity and promoting sustainable development.
During a visit to South Sinai, Minister of Local Development and Environment Manal Awad and South Sinai Governor Ismail Kamal met with project director Mohamed Eliwa to assess implementation of the initiative, which is scheduled to run through June 2028.
Backed by the Global Environment Facility (GEF), and carried out by the Egyptian Environmental Affairs Agency (EEAA) in co-operation with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), the project targets Sharm El Sheikh and three protected areas: Nabq Protected Area, Abu Galum Protectorate and Ras Mohammed National Park.
The initiative focuses on six key areas, including waste management, sustainable transport, renewable energy, water and sanitation, biodiversity conservation and community development. Measures already implemented include the deployment of electric buses, installation of solar-powered street lighting and support for hotels to adopt cleaner energy technologies and strengthen environmental management systems.
The project has also introduced digital tools to improve environmental monitoring and reserve management, including the Eco-Monitor app for tracking marine life and an electronic permitting system for South Sinai’s protected areas, officials said.
As part of the initiative, Sharm el-Sheikh has joined the International Council for Local Environmental Initiatives network (ICLEI), becoming the first Egyptian city and the fourth in the Arab world to do so.
Awad called for intensified efforts in the coming phase to improve waste management across the city and its nature reserves, with a particular focus on electronic waste, used oils from hotels and restaurants, and the protection of coral reefs and marine biodiversity.
She also stressed the need to ensure the long-term sustainability of the project’s outcomes, saying a follow-up meeting will be held in May with South Sinai officials, project partners and representatives from the UNDP to review next steps.
