Dr. Yasmeen Fouad, Minister of Environment; Major General Dr. Alaa Abd El-Moaty, Governor of Kafrelsheikh, and Prof. Dr. Abdelrazek Desouky, President of Kafr El-Sheikh University, launches the "Innovation for a Green Future" conference at the Grand Conference Hall. The conference is implemented by the Ministry of Environment through the National Solid Waste Management Program (EU Green) in cooperation with the German Agency for International Cooperation (GIZ) and Kafrelsheikh University, and is co-funded by the European Union and the German government. The conference's activities extend over three days.

During his speech, the president points out that the conference is held under the umbrella of Kafrelsheikh University, stemming from a firm belief in the role of science and scientific research in creating innovative solutions to environmental issues, in line with Egypt's 2020 strategy, which enshrines the concept of a green economy. The university is working hard to consolidate the concept of innovation in the fields of renewable energy, materials management, and environmentally friendly technology through applied research programs and partnerships with local and international institutions.

At the end of his speech, Prof. Dr. Abdelrazek Desouky, President of Kafrelsheikh University, thanked Dr. Yasmeen Fouad, Minister of Environment, for choosing Kafrelsheikh University as a partner in this important national event. He also thanks everyone who contributed to the success of this conference, expressing his hope that its sessions would yield applicable recommendations and that we would all emerge with a clear message: innovation is Egypt's safe gateway to resource sustainability and environmental protection.

At the beginning of her speech, Dr. Yasmeen Fouad commends the tireless efforts of students, professors, and development partners in supporting the green transformation, especially with the serious steps the university is taking in this field to be among the green universities, within the framework of the state's strategy to empower youth and integrate them into shaping the green future. The conference is a platform for supporting the ideas of youth and entrepreneurs in environmental fields, reflecting the state's commitment to achieving sustainable development goals and its belief in the ability of youth to find innovative solutions that transform challenges into opportunities for sustainable growth and achieving a green future.

Dr. Yasmeen Fouad adds that investing in people is the key to achieving the green transformation. Therefore, the Ministry of Environment has implemented several awareness campaigns, such as the "Getting Ready for Green" campaign in early 2020, and hosting the COP27 climate conference. This is in parallel with work on the municipal solid waste management system, which faced many challenges, such as the lack of sanitary landfills and weak infrastructure. This system has been robustly established with funding of approximately 26 billion Egyptian pounds, self-financed by the Egyptian government. We currently have 27 sanitary landfills, more than 20 recycling plants, and nearly 90 intermediate stations, working in all governorates from the north to the south of Egypt.

The Minister of Environment highlights the important role of every individual in society in the green transformation, confirming that every environmental challenge can be transformed into an opportunity. She explains that successful implementation requires cooperation between the state and citizens. Therefore, the three-day conference will include a number of experts and specialists to assist and train students on how to transform ideas into feasible projects, by studying them economically, identifying appropriate marketing methods, analyzing potential risks, and other aspects. She expresses her confidence in a better future for this country thanks to the awareness and maturity of its youth, and the strength of its women who support the state.

It is worth noting that the conference aims to develop the skills of 40 young participants and entrepreneurs over three days to develop innovative and sustainable solutions in Kafrelsheikh and Gharbia governorates, and the Delta region in general, to enable them to create effective solutions to environmental challenges related to the circular economy, climate change, and waste management. The conference includes a series of training workshops designed to enhance the participants’ skills in designing implementable sustainable projects, in addition to reviewing case studies and successful models of start-up companies in the environmental field. At the end of the conference, the ideas will be presented to a specialized jury, and financial prizes will be awarded to the top three winning teams.