At the request made by the Ministry of State for Environmental Affairs, Egyptian Environmental Affairs Agency (EEAA) addressed PAP/RAC to provide assistance in the preparation of the National ICZM Strategy for Egypt, a series of meetings took place at the EEAA from 18 to 20 October 2008.
First, a preparatory meeting was organised with PAP/RAC Focal Point preceding the meeting of the Egyptian ICZM Committee that was convened the same day. The objectives of the meeting were to discuss the general context for ICZM in Egypt, the signing of the ICZM Protocol, to agree on the main elements for the ICZM Strategy, the need for it, its structure, the process and alike. PAP/RAC confirmed its dedication to assist in the preparation of this important document. This assistance would be organised in the framework of the SMAP III Project as one of the projects within the New policy measures component.
The ICZM Committee in Egypt exists since 1996 where the line ministries, scientific institutions and governorates are represented. This is an important institutional body also required by the new ICZM Protocol, which does not exist in many Mediterranean countries. Within its mandate the Committee is responsible to discuss and approve the ICZM Strategy. PAP/RAC was invited to this second meeting in order to present the rationale for the preparation of the Strategy, the global context, its structure and process of preparation as well as some experiences from the Mediterranean and other countries.
On the basis of previous meetings a working session, as a third meeting, was held at EEAA on 20 October 2008. The aim was to discuss in detail and to agree on the contents of the ICZM Strategy, the process of its preparation and the timeframe.
