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Arab Network for Environment and Development

Raed logo revamp

About Us

The Arab Network for Environment and Development (RAED) is a leading regional non-governmental organization established in 1990 and headquartered in Egypt. Officially registered with the Egyptian Ministry of Social Solidarity since 2007, RAED brings together more than 250 civil society organizations across the Arab region and works to build more sustainable and resilient communities, raise environmental awareness, and strengthen society’s capacity to respond to environmental and development challenges.

RAED addresses interconnected priorities including climate change and climate-related crises, desertification, biodiversity loss, water scarcity and governance, displacement, disaster risk reduction, renewable energy, ecosystem resilience, and sustainable natural resource management. Its work supports the implementation of the three Rio Conventions: the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD), and UN Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD).

People are at the heart of RAED’s approach. The Network places particular emphasis on the role of women and youth, community empowerment, and the inclusion of marginalized and vulnerable groups, ensuring that those most affected by environmental and climate challenges can contribute meaningfully to solutions and decision-making.

Through policy dialogue, advocacy, capacity building, knowledge exchange, and multi-stakeholder cooperation, RAED connects civil society organizations, governments, international institutions, academia, research bodies, local communities, experts, and the private sector. It promotes partnership building and facilitates North–South and South–South knowledge and experience exchange, enabling successful practices and locally grounded solutions to be shared and scaled across countries and regions.

RAED has also established a significant institutional presence at the Arab and international levels. It was the first civil society organization to receive recognition from the League of Arab States and represents civil society within the Council of Arab Ministers Responsible for the Environment and the Arab Water Council. Internationally, RAED has held consultative status with the United Nations Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) since 1996.

Its regional work includes major initiatives such as the TeraMED Initiative, supporting the transition toward renewable energy across the Mediterranean; participation in the WES-BCA Programme on water, biodiversity, and climate action; and its role as the national focal point in Egypt for the PPI-OSCAN Programme, supporting emerging civil society organizations in North Africa.

RAED’s journey received further international recognition in 2026 when it was named a Schwab Foundation for Social Entrepreneurship Award winner in the Collective Social Innovators category, recognizing its contribution to environmental sustainability, civil society empowerment, and regional partnership building. RAED was also selected as an advisory partner to UNESCO in the Arab region, reflecting international confidence in its expertise, particularly in water sciences, environmental sustainability, and youth engagement.

Building on more than three decades of experience, RAED continues to transform knowledge into policy, awareness into action, and partnerships into sustainable solutions, contributing to more resilient, inclusive, environmentally secure, and sustainable communities across the Arab region, the Mediterranean, and Africa.