Managing the Environment and Natural Resources
 Working to preserve Egypt's environment is a relatively new initiative in the cooperative efforts of the United States and Egypt. Our work in this area began a decade ago, yet since that time, much has already been done. Together we have undertaken several wide-ranging environmental programs designed to support continued economic and social development in Egypt and to improve the quality of life of its citizens.
Our two countries have worked together as partners in development for 30 years. As the Government of Egypt sets new goals for its people and its future, this relationship continues. The United States remains committed to the continuation of its partnership with Egypt by promoting sustainable development throughout the country.
Urban air pollution is an environmental challenge to Egypt's economic development, to the welfare of its citizens and visitors, and to the survival of its ancient treasures. USAID is working closely with several Egyptian agencies to reduce industrial pollutants and promote energy conservation and the use of cleaner fuels.
In 1997, USAID initiated a new Cairo air quality program, in cooperation with the Government of Egypt, to reduce lead emissions from local smelters, institute a vehicle emissions testing and certification program, and introduce natural gas-fueled buses to reduce diesel emission particulate pollution. USAID is also supporting Egyptian private sector efforts to convert gasoline vehicles to natural gas use and more than 40,000 vehicles are using the clean burning fuel.
Working closely with diverse Egyptian partners, USAID also launched a multi-year environmental policy program that has begun to address constraints to improved environment management in Egypt. The Ministries of Environment, Petroleum, and Tourism are engaged developing sustainable environment policies and institutional reform.
The program's objectives include promoting policies that encourage cleaner and more efficient use of energy, reduced industrial pollution, improved solid waste management, the protection of the Red Sea coral reefs and islands, and the introduction of environmental best practices at Red Sea tourist hotels. The program aims to foster opportunities for Egypt's private sector and non-governmental organizations to play a more active role in improving and protecting the environment.
Finally, through the Supreme Council of Antiquities, the United States and Egypt are working together to protect Egypt's vast cultural heritage through the restoration and conservation of numerous antiquities. This is done through the American Research Center in Egypt (ARCE), in part by introducing technologies that enhance the cultural attractions that draw visitors and protect the sites themselves from degradation. In addition to treating groundwater threats and providing conservation grants, ARCE offers technical assistance in excavation, documentation, conservation, and museum management.
Cairo Air Improvement Project
 Number: 263-0250
Amount: $60 million
Initiated: FY 1995
Completion: FY 2002
Urban air pollution is an environmental challenge to Egypt's economic development, to the welfare of its citizens and visitors, and to the survival of its ancient treasures. USAID is working closely with several Egyptian agencies to reduce industrial pollutants and promote energy conservation and the use of cleaner fuels.
Background/progress:
The Government of Egypt committed itself to solve the growing problem of air pollution in the early 1990s. Since then, the United States has joined forces with the Ministry of State for Environmental Affairs, and its technical arm, the Egyptian Environmental Affairs Agency (EEAA), the Ministry of Petroleum, and the governorates of Cairo and Qalubeya, as well as the private sector. Our mutual goal has been to develop institutional and technical strategies for improved air quality. The main focus has been to reduce the emissions that have proven to be a significant health risk to Egyptians.
In 1997, the United States and the Government of Egypt initiated the $60 million Cairo Air Improvement Project to reduce vehicular emissions, total suspended particulates and lead, and to establish long-term efforts at reducing air pollution through demonstrations and pilot tests of alternative technologies, increased public awareness and training.
One joint intervention to improve Cairo's air was the introduction of a program for vehicle emissions testing, tune-up, and certification to improve fuel efficiency and reduce exhaust emissions of gasoline motor vehicles. The construction of the first emissions testing station of its kind in Africa was completed in 1999 and now serves as a model for future stations.
The project has also promoted municipal buses' use of cleaner, more efficient compressed natural gas in place of diesel fuel. This step has the effect of both reducing emissions and improving overall vehicle efficiency. Forty-four of 50 prototype natural gas buses are in revenue service with Cairo's municipal bus fleets. Fueling equipment for the 30 natural gas fueling stations in Greater Cairo has been procured through USAID،¦s Commodity Import Program to service the growing fleet of 40,000 natural gas-powered vehicles.
Reducing the concentration of airborne lead in and near lead smelters and moving these industrial plants away from populated areas is a major initiative to protect the health of Egyptians. All four lead smelters in the densely populated Shoubra El Kheima area have been closed.
Through the Cairo Air Improvement Project, USAID and EEAA have also established a 36 station air quality monitoring network. The recent initial lead emissions survey provides baseline data for the first time in Egypt and will prove useful in measuring future air quality improvements. In addition, a computerized air pollution early warning system for Greater Cairo has been established within EEAA.
In part, future success of efforts to improve and protect the environment will depend on effective programs to increase public awareness. Public awareness campaigns have been carried out, particularly with school-aged children, to illustrate the importance of taking care of the environment. Public campaigns have also been launched more broadly to promote the use of unleaded gas, regular engine tune-ups, vehicle emissions testing, and compressed natural gas as an alternative fuel
Egyptian Environmental Policy Program
 Number: 263-0255/263-K640
Amount: $170 million
Initiated: FY 1999
Completion: FY 2003
The $170 million Egyptian Environmental Policy Program, or EEPP, ($110 million cash transfer and $60 million technical assistance) addresses some of Egypt's most pressing environmental problems while at the same time promoting public-private partnerships, financial sustainability of environmental management solutions, replicability of best environmental practices, and institutional strengthening for those entities responsible for environmental management.
Background/progress:
The program was initiated in 1999 and supports activities in the following areas: improving air quality, conservation and sustainable use of the Red Sea land and marine resources, promotion of economic instruments for improved environmental management, solid and hazardous waste management, decentralization of environmental management responsibilities, inspection and voluntary compliance, strategic environmental planning, environmental disaster preparedness, energy efficiency, and promotion of domestic gas use.
Assistance has already resulted in:
Development of a monitoring system for sensitive coral and mangrove areas in the Red Sea;
Completion of the first Environmental Protection Fund (EPF) cycle and initiation of the second including launching a communication campaign strengthen EPF's outreach in the investment market;
Approval and publication of a national solid waste strategy;
Privatization of solid waste management system in Alexandria;
Creation of an interministerial working group on hazardous waste;
Initiation of actions to develop a national energy efficiency strategy;
Increased use of environmental impact analysis in the development of tourism projects in the Red Sea;
Creation of an environment fund by 10th of Ramadan City Board of Trustees Environment Committee;
Initiation of actions by 38 companies to adopt ISO 14001 environmental management systems in 10th of Ramadan after participating in USAID-funded preparatory program;
Environmental management system being implemented in selected Red Sea tourism properties leading to environmental improvements; and
Environmental awareness campaigns in support of these efforts are under way.
Antiquities Development Project
 Funded under Technical Cooperation and Feasibility Studies
Number: 263-0225, Grant No. 263-6-00-96-00016-00
Amount: $2.5 million + LE 3.8 million
Initiated: FY 1996
Completion: FY 2003
USAID is working with the Egyptian governorates, the Egyptian Environmental Affairs Agency (EEAA), and the Supreme Council of Antiquities (SCA) to promote the environmental sustainability of tourism through the preservation of Egypt's cultural heritage. Site development in the Red Sea area is intended to strengthen the region's cultural tourism to complement the rapid growth of hotels along the coast. In Luxor, the Antiquities Development Project (ADP) will create a prototype for proper analyses to prepare Pharaonic tombs for tourist presentation. ADP is also funding the American Research Center in Egypt (ARCE), work in the Tomb of Seti I in Luxor, the Islamic fort at Quseir, and the monasteries of St. Anthony and St. Paul near the Red Sea.
ADP is designed to introduce technologies intended to enhance the cultural attractions that draw visitors and protect the sites themselves from degradation due to tourism. All of ADP's activities involve the communities surrounding the tourist sites.
Background/progress:
The Tomb of Seti I in Luxor is the largest decorated tomb in the Valley of the Kings. ARCE and the SCA undertook a comprehensive study of the structural, conservation, and tourist presentation aspects of the tomb. As a result of this study, recommendations were made for the tomb's preservation.
At the Islamic Fort of Al Quseir, ARCE and the SCA documented and consolidated the fort, built by Sultan Selim on the crest above Quseir to protect the town's port. Conservation activities included the creation of visitors' center to introduce the cultural history of the Red Sea region to tourists.
Wall painting conservation and museum development has been carried out at the monasteries of St. Anthony and St. Paul. These ancient desert monasteries, near the Red Sea north of Hurghada, contain exquisite Coptic wall paintings from the 13th century. Completed work includes cleaning and conservation work on the paintings and the creation of display areas for cultural artifacts.
Preservation and Restoration of Egyptian
Antiquities/Egyptian Antiquity Fund
Funded under Technical Cooperation and Feasibility Studies
Number: 263-0225, Grant No. 263-6-00-93-00089-00
Amount: LE 50.4 million
Initiated: FY 1994
Completion: FY 2003
This activity assists the Government of Egypt in protecting its vast cultural heritage through the restoration and conservation of numerous antiquities threatened by ground water and a lack of sufficient technical and financial resources. The American Research Center in Egypt (ARCE), in close coordination with the Egyptian Supreme Council for Antiquities (SCA), is administering the program using Egyptian currency generated under USAID policy reform and commodity programs. The program has assisted SCA to strengthen its technical and management capabilities.
Background/progress:
Various U.S. and Egyptian specialized institutions including the Chicago House, Friends of the Fulbright Commission, American University in Cairo, California Academy of Sciences, and University of Pennsylvania, have received sub-grants for the restoration, documentation, and institutional development of Egypt's antiquities. Their work comprises the Neolithic, Pharaonic, Greco-Roman, Coptic, and Islamic periods. To date, 41 sub-grants have been allocated. Some of the conservation activities of this project include:
Conservation for the ancient gate of Bab Zuweila (click here for a fact sheet or before and after photos);
Photographic, architectural, and historical documentation at Zawiya Ibn Barquq Mosque;
Upgrading of the Marine Conservation Laboratory, the Alexandria laboratory that supports marine archaeology and conservation of artifacts retrieved from sunken ships or buried in ground water;
A site presentation plan, analysis of groundwater, and archeological monitoring program for the Coptic area of Cairo;
An existing condition report, photographic documentation, and conservation work at Bayt ar Razzaz;
Construction of a small laboratory and storage area at Luxor Temple to treat and conserve waterlogged fragments;
A feasibility study for flood control at Luxor Valley of the Kings; and
Conservation work and major outreach events for the Salah Tala'l Fatimid minbar.
Renovation of the Conservation Laboratory at the Egyptian Museum in Cairo. Photographs
In addition to conservation sub-grants, ARCE has provided SCA with technical training in critical areas such as excavation, documentation, conservation, and museum management. Thirty-four SCA inspectors have been trained in architectural excavation techniques at the ARCE Field School and 16 SCA employees completed a six-week training course in museum management in the United States.
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