On Tuesday, Professor Dr. Hossam El-Din Fawzy, Governor of Damietta, chaired a meeting of the Local Committee for Integrated Coastal Zone Management (ICZM). The session focused on discussing shore protection mechanisms and enhancing the sustainability of developmental projects in the face of climate challenges.

The meeting was attended by high-level officials, including Dr. Mohamed Fawzy, Deputy Governor; Major General Mohamed Hammam, the Governor’s Secretary-General; and Major General Dr. Tariq Buhairi, the Assistant Secretary-General. Also in attendance was a technical delegation from the "Enhancing Climate Change Adaptation" project, featuring Dr. Mohamed Ahmed, the project’s Executive Director; Dr. Yousry El-Koumi, Strategic Expert; and Dr. Mohamed Bayoumi, Assistant Resident Representative of the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP). They were joined by Eng. Jamila Arabi Abdel-Al, General Manager of Shore Protection for the East Delta, Sinai, and Port Said, along with representatives from relevant executive sectors.

Supporting Investment via Risk Maps and Early Warning Systems

The meeting reviewed the legal and institutional framework for Integrated Coastal Zone Management, emphasizing the immense economic and investment value of these regions. The Governor explained that current efforts are focused on:

Decision Support: Providing executive bodies with accurate risk maps to guide developmental and investment activities.

Early Warning: Developing an integrated plan in coordination with the Ministries of Local Development and Environment to activate early warning systems for extreme weather events.

Awareness Raising: Incorporating comprehensive awareness plans for citizens and coastal communities regarding climate change response mechanisms.

International Strategic Partnership

In his speech, Dr. Hossam El-Din Fawzy extended his gratitude to the Ministry of Water Resources and Irrigation and the UNDP for their fruitful cooperation through the project "Enhancing Climate Change Adaptation in the Nile Delta and Mediterranean Coast of Egypt," funded by the Green Climate Fund (GCF).

The Governor emphasized that Damietta Governorate attaches great importance to this project, believing in the necessity of building strategic partnerships to tackle climate change based on rigorous scientific foundations. He stressed the governorate’s full commitment to ensuring the success and sustainability of the project in alignment with the goals of "Egypt Vision 2030" for sustainable development.