Environmental Awareness and Community Engagement Key to Addressing Challenges, Says Minister

The regional branch of the Environmental Affairs Agency in Minya organized a series of diverse environmental events aimed at raising awareness and encouraging community participation in protecting natural resources and preserving the environment. This initiative coincides with the Ministry of Local Development and Environment’s celebrations for World Environment Day 2026.

Dr. Manal Awad, Minister of Local Development and Environment, emphasized that promoting environmental culture and enhancing community involvement are crucial pillars in addressing environmental challenges. She highlighted the efforts made by awareness teams at regional branches of the Environmental Affairs Agency in celebration of World Environment Day, which this year serves as a genuine call to translate environmental awareness into responsible daily practices and behaviors.

The awareness events included seminars held in the village of Al-Dawdia East of the Nile within the Minya Center, at St. Michael’s Church in Qatousha village under Samalout Center, and at Abahour Bahgoury Monastery in Suada East of the Nile within Minya Center. These seminars focused on climate change and the urgent need to respond to warning signals from the Earth, such as climate shifts, melting ice, rising temperatures, and the positive transition towards sustainable climate solutions and clean energy. Various issues were also addressed, including waste management, safe disposal methods, and consumption rationalization.

Additionally, awareness seminars were conducted at several locations including Bani Amer Youth Center in Al-Adwa, Al-Ra’i Al-Salih Hospital in Samalout Center, Tanbadi Village Council in Maghagha Center, Al-Ramd Hospital in Bani Mazar Center, medical center in Bani Mazar Center, and Oncology Institute in Minya City. These discussions highlighted this year’s World Environment Day slogan: “The planet does not argue or negotiate; it sends signals.” The events also included participation in a celebration at the governorate headquarters focused on smart green projects and their role in climate change mitigation.

In a related effort, the Environmental Affairs Agency branch in Qusair participated in a celebration at Qusair Cultural House for World Environment Day. A lecture titled “Together for a Clean Sustainable Environment” was organized to emphasize individual contributions to environmental protection through positive behaviors such as maintaining cleanliness in streets and gardens, rationalizing water and electricity consumption, planting trees, avoiding littering public spaces, encouraging recycling, and reusing materials. The message reinforced that building a clean and sustainable environment requires collective cooperation and responsibility; every positive step contributes to protecting our community and achieving a better future for ourselves and generations to come.