In June 1997, the responsibility of Egypt's first full time Minister for Environmental Affairs was assigned as stated in the Presidential Decree no.275/1997. From thereon, the new ministry has focused, in close collaboration with the national and international development partners, on defining environmental policies, setting priorities and implementing initiatives within a context of sustainable development.
According to the Law 4/1994 for the Protection of the Environment, the Egyptian Environmental Affairs Agency (EEAA) was restructured with the new mandate to substitute the institution initially established in 1982. At the central level, EEAA represents the executive arm of the Ministry.
An Environmental Protection Fund (EPF) will in accordance with the Environment Act of 1994 (amended by Law 9/2009) be set up. The Fund will receive the amount specifically allocated to it in the General State Budget by way of support, donations and grants presented by national and foreign organizations concerned with environmental protection, fines and compensation awarded by courts of law or via out-of-court settlements for damage caused to the environment, as well as revenues from the protectorates fund.
The EPF shall have a legal personality and shall be affiliated to the competent Minister for Environmental Affairs. The financial resources of the Fund shall be exclusively used for the purpose of realizing its objectives.
The Agency will offer incentives to institutions and individuals engaged in activities and projects directed to environmental protection purposes.
HISTORY
The EEAA, established by virtue of law no.4 of the year 1994, is to replace the Agency established by Presidential Decree No. 631 of the year 1982, in all its rights and obligations. The latter Agency 's staff are to be transferred to the EEAA with their grades and seniority and are to be assigned to the administrative sectors of the EEAA by a Decree issued by the Agency 's Executive Head.
EEAA, the acronym for the Egyptian Environmental Affairs Agency, was officially launched in 1982.
Strategic Objective:
To introduce and integrate environmental dimensions in all national policies, plans, programs relevant to protection of human health and management of natural resources.
Medium-Term Objective:
To preserve the natural resource base, national heritage and biodiversity within a context of sustainable development.
Short-Term Objective:
To reduce current pollution levels and thereby minimizes health hazards and improves quality of life.
The environmental policy of the Government of Egypt seeks to achieve environmental protection through the establishment of proper institutional, economic, legislative and technical frameworks at the local, regional, national and international levels. This is expressed through the seven directives of the policy statement of the ministry:
Within this policy framework, institutional and regulatory reforms are carried out, aiming at the implementation of national environmental policy objectives and measures.
The implementation of the environmental policies of the Government of Egypt, as expressed by the policy framework and directives of the ministry, is carried out with four main principles underlying environmental management and protection initiatives: