Within the framework of the strategic partnership between the Arab Network for Environment and Development (RAED) and the Egyptian Sustainable Development Forum (ESDF), and as part of the activities of the TeraMED Initiative aimed at supporting the transition towards sustainable energy, the Egyptian Association for Local Community Development in Kafr El Dawwar, coordinator of the Local Sustainable Development Platform in Beheira Governorate, organized an expanded dialogue session to discuss mechanisms for enhancing energy efficiency and expanding the use of renewable energy sources at the local level.

The meeting was held as part of the activities of the Local Sustainable Development Forums in support of the objectives of the TeraMED Initiative, which is being implemented across the Mediterranean Basin. RAED coordinates the efforts of civil society organizations in the Arab countries of the Southern and Eastern Mediterranean to promote the regional initiative, which aims to increase new and renewable energy production in the region to one terawatt by 2030.

The dialogue session brought together representatives of the Local Sustainable Development Forums in Beheira, Matrouh, Alexandria, Kafr El-Sheikh, and Gharbia governorates, alongside representatives of executive bodies, academic institutions, and civil society organizations. The meeting witnessed diverse participation from relevant stakeholders, including representatives of the Ministry of Agriculture, the Egyptian Environmental Affairs Agency, the renewable energy investment sector, electricity distribution companies, energy and sustainability experts, as well as the private sector. This broad participation reflected the complementary roles of various stakeholders in supporting a just transition towards clean energy.

Dr. Hani Habiba, Chairman of the Association’s Board of Directors, opened the session with welcoming remarks, during which he emphasized the importance of Local Sustainable Development Forums in supporting sustainable development efforts and raising awareness of energy-related issues. Eng. Rehab Abdel Fattah, representing RAED, then delivered a presentation on the general framework of the TeraMED Initiative and its strategic objectives, as well as the challenges and opportunities associated with the energy sector. Her presentation also highlighted the concept of energy security and ways to achieve it in light of current developments. Eng. Emad Saad, from the Egyptian Electricity Transmission Company, delivered remarks addressing the state’s role in confronting challenges in the electricity sector, the importance of adopting effective policies to rationalize consumption, and the need to expand reliance on renewable energy sources.

The event concluded with an open dialogue session, during which participants exchanged views and experiences on ways to develop clean energy projects at the local level and discussed key challenges related to capacity building and community awareness. The session resulted in a number of recommendations, most notably the need to strengthen the shift towards renewable energy, activate the role of banks and financial institutions in providing accessible financing mechanisms to support this transition, and encourage greater engagement of the investment sector in adopting clean energy projects. These steps would contribute to accelerating the clean energy transition and achieving the Sustainable Development Goals.