Egypt's first lady inaugurates Center of Environment and Development
Regional, Environment, 4/17/2000

Egypt's First Lady Suzanne Mubarak opened the permanent headquarters of the Center of Environment and Development for the Arab Region and Europe (CEDARE).

Addressing the gathering, Prime Minister Atef Ebeid said that the inauguration of the CEDARE is a new accomplishment on the land of Egypt.

Ebeid lauded the pioneering ambitious programs carried out under the directives of Mrs. Suzanne Mubarak for the children of Egypt.

The Prime Minister also recorded the pioneering and unprecedented role of Mrs. Suzanne Mubarak in caring for women and deepening the values which give society a push forward.

He highlighted the pioneering role of the First Lady in supporting efforts to protect the environment and preserve an important part of the national wealth.

Ebeid said that under the rule of President Hosni Mubarak Egypt witnessed continued accomplishments and a race with time to protect the environment and add more green land.

"Under the rule of President Mubarak, land was preserved and new land representing about one-fifth of the existing land was added, " he said.

The Prime Minister said that under the rule of President Mubarak protection was provided for rare natural wealth, on land and in sea, adding that the protection covered 14 areas.

Under a set of programs, Egypt protected its shores in collaboration with environment institutes in different parts of the world.

"In collaboration with the national industry figures and owners of tourist establishments, the government controlled the larger part of materials which affected the water of the Nile and its tributaries," he said.

Egypt is now preparing, after studies which continued for two years, to carry out the largest project in the Middle East to deal with solid waste.

"The project will be carried out by private companies under the supervision of the state and in cooperation with the establishments of society which will contribute to bearing the cost," Ebeid said.

Egypt, in collaboration with Mediterranean countries (Middle Eastern and European) and Arab and African countries overlooking the Red Sea, is shouldering responsibility of protecting the two seas and their shores against dangers resulting from disposal of waste by countries overlooking the two seas and thousands of ships using their ports.

Egypt has signed an agreement of cooperation among Middle East countries to carry out a program to protect the Red Sea and secure navigation in it.

Egypt is also carrying out a program to protect its monuments which record the achievements of man through history.

Dr. Ebeid said that during the past few years, and with the collaboration of friendly countries, Egypt set up an environment monitoring network.

Nadia Makram Ebeid, Minister of State for the Environment and Deputy Chairman of the CEDARE trustees council, made a speech in which she pointed out that the foundation-stone of the CEDARE permanent premises was laid down in 1997.

"It was completed in a record time, thanks to the support received from the government which believes that environment problems go beyond borders," she added.

"Changes and environment challenges call for more cooperation among countries, particularly Arab countries," she said.

Prince Fahd bin Abdullah Al Saud, Chairman of the CEDARE Board of Trustees, made a speech in which he lauded Egypt's efforts in the field of environment protection and its keenness to set up the CEDARE permanent premises.

"Egypt was among the pioneering countries which called for the establishment of CEDARE and will continue to support it," he said.

Prince Fahd called for supporting CEDARE not only from Arab countries but also from European member-states and the European Union in general.

"Egypt responded to a call by the Arab Ministerial Environment Council and deposed 3 million pounds for CEDARE," he said.

Today's inaugural ceremony of CEDARE permanent premises was attended by Dr. Youssef Wali, Deputy Premier and Minister of Agriculture and Land Reclamation, Minister of Information Safwat Al-Sherif, Minister of Housing Engineer Ibrahim Suliman, Minister of Water Resources and irrigation Mahmoud Abu Zeid and Cairo Governor Abdel Rahim Shihata.

CEDARE was established for the purpose of coordination , cooperation and exerting concerned efforts to protect the environment in the Arab region and some European countries.

The center was financed by the Egyptian government, the Arab Economic and Social Development Fund and the UN development Program. The 9-story building was built on an area of 1,500 square meters at Heliopolis.

Previous Stories:
  55 countries participate in international cometition for der water photography in Hurghada   (4/15/2000)
  Regional conference on wildlife protection in Tunis   (4/7/2000)
  International conference on protecting the environment and remote sensing in Oman   (3/30/2000)
  Rabat declaration maps common desertification indicators   (3/8/2000)

Please add a link on your webiste pointing to ArabicNews.com and bookmark ArabicNews.com & subscribe to our daily email news bulletin.

Search