Minister of Local Development and Environment, Manal Awad, and the Governor of South Sinai, Ismail Kamal, meet to review the implementation status of the “Green Sharm” Project on April 26, 2026- press photo
CAIRO – 26 April 2026: As part of an official visit to South Sinai Governorate to monitor progress in nature reserves, Minister of Local Development and Environment, Manal Awad, and Governor of South Sinai, Ismail Kamal, held a meeting to review the implementation status of the “Green Sharm” Project.
The meeting was attended by key officials, including Mohamed Aliwa (Project Director), Enas Samir, Khaled Abbas, Walid Hassan, along with other stakeholders and project managers.
The “Green Sharm” Project aims to transform Sharm El-Sheikh into a leading green and sustainable tourism destination in Egypt and the Arab region. The project focuses on reducing emissions, preserving biodiversity, and promoting sustainable urban and tourism development, said the Ministry of Local Development and Environment in a statement on Sunday.
The project is funded by the Global Environment Facility (GEF), and is implemented by the Egyptian Environmental Affairs Agency, in cooperation with the United Nations Development Programme and the South Sinai Governorate.
The project targets Sharm El-Sheikh and three key nature reserves, inlcuding Nabq Protected Area, Abu Galum Protected Area, and Ras Mohammed National Park. It is scheduled for completion in June 2028.
The Green Sharm is structured around six main pillars:
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Solid waste managementSustainable transportation (including electric buses) -
Renewable energy (particularly solar energy) -
Water and sanitationBiodiversity conservationCommunity development and institutional support
So far, solar-powered street lighting was installed, while other solar panels were deployed in hotels. The Ministry is also conducting environmental assessments of hotel systems (energy, cooling, waste management), aiming at reducing emisions and organic pollutants.
During the meeting, the Minister directed that the next phase of the project should prioritize enhancing solid waste management systems in Sharm El-Sheikh and surrounding reserves through addressing electronic waste and used oils from hotels and restraunts. She also instructed to strengthen biodiversity protection, particularly coral reefs, improve monitoring and tracking systems, enhance services for citizens and tourists, and address operational challenges in diving and marine tourism activities
On January 1, 2026, former Minister of Eniveronment Yassmine Fouad announced that Sharm El-Sheikh has officially become the first Egyptian city (Green Sharm) and the fourth Arab city to join the ICLEI Global Network of Sustainable Cities, a milestone that underscores Egypt’s commitment to environmental transformation.
Coinciding with this announcement, the city launched its official sustainability platform www.greensharm.org. The website will serve as a knowledge hub and interactive platform, showcasing Sharm El-Sheikh’s environmental achievements, community initiatives, and progress in its green transition. It also provides tourists with up-to-date information on sustainable activities and hotel accommodations in the city, said Mohamed Aliwa, Green Sharm Project Manager.
