As part of the partnership between the Egyptian Sustainable Development Forum (ESDF) and the Arab Network for Environment and Development (RAED), the “Together for Development” Association, the local coordinator for sustainable development forums in Luxor, hosted an extensive seminar on the role of civil society in enhancing community resilience against crises and disasters. This event was part of the Local Sustainable Development Forums initiative launched by the Arab Office for Youth and Environment under the patronage of the Ministries of Environment and Social Solidarity.

The seminar coincided with the celebration of National Environment Day 2025, an event organized by the Arab Office for Youth and Environment. This year’s theme, “The Nexus of Water, Energy, Food and Ecosystems: Foundations of Sustainability,” highlighted the interconnections among critical sustainability pillars. The event was held in collaboration with stakeholders in Luxor, including local NGOs, as part of a series of activities aimed at raising awareness and building local capacity to integrate sustainability into regional development strategies.

The seminar brought together representatives from environmental agencies, local authorities, NGOs, and youth and women’s organizations. Discussions centered on several key topics, including the pivotal role of environmental awareness in mitigating climate change and enhancing disaster preparedness, methods for forecasting and early warning systems, and readiness to address climate-related risks. The importance of the interdependence between water, energy, food and ecosystems was also emphasized as a foundation for sustainable development.

The meeting also addressed several important topics, including the issue of waste management in Luxor Governorate and the mechanisms for achieving sustainable development. A representative from the Environmental Affairs Agency presented the main challenges and potential solutions related to solid and agricultural waste, as well as single-use plastics. Engineer Ali Bakry discussed the risks posed by solid and electronic waste to human health and outlined methods for their safe disposal. He also highlighted Egypt’s capability to produce various alternatives to plastic products.

Hussein Mustafa emphasized the economic viability of recycling agricultural and animal waste and the importance of providing agricultural mechanization tools to small-scale farmers to facilitate the recycling process. Dr. Ayman Al-Amir pointed to the need for innovative solutions for managing the waste generated from sugarcane crops, which are widely cultivated in the governorate, covering an area of approximately 66,000 feddans.

Prominent speakers included Dr. Jaber Mohamed Kulahy, Senior Undersecretary of the Ministry of Agriculture, Dr. Mahmoud Raslan, Director of the Agricultural Research Center in Mataana and Dr. Obeid Shaheen, a sugarcane crops expert. Discussions underscored the vital role of civil society in tackling waste management issues amid growing environmental challenges. Speakers called for fostering public awareness and strengthening institutional collaboration to adopt eco-friendly waste management practices.