Japan contributes additional 3.6 million USD to a UNIDO project in Egypt for the promotion of circular economy practices on single-use plastic value chain

H.E. Mr. NOKE Masaki, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Japan to the Arab Republic of Egypt, and Mr. Bassel EL Khatib, Director and UNIDO Representative in Egypt, Regional Office Hub in Egypt, signed and exchanged Notes regarding implementation of the project on 9 March 2021 in Cairo.

The Project aims at curbing plastic waste and developing a new corresponding industry by technology transfer of sustainable plastic production and capacity building for circular economy. The project will lead to job creation and the sustainable growth of Egypt.

In 2019 the Government of Japan launched the “MARINE Initiative” at the G20 Osaka Summit toward realization of the “Osaka Blue Ocean Vision”. The new project with Egypt is fully in line with this initiative. Japan already cooperates with UNIDO on the issue of plastic litter in several African countries, including the Republic of South Africa.

Japan expects that UNIDO will steadily implement this project making use of its expertise and experience in technical cooperation. Japan and UNIDO will continue to cooperate closely in promoting the achievement of the SDGs.