Egypt’s First Harm Reduction Summit, has been held under the patronage of the Ministry of Environment and the Ministry of Planning and Economic Development, concluded in Cairo, Invest-Gate reports.

The event, attended by Yasmine Fouad, Minister of Environment, and Sherif El Gabaly, Chairman of the Board of the Egyptian Chamber of Chemical Industries, aimed to address the concept of harm reduction and mitigate negative effects on the environment, health, and society. It provided a platform to showcase successful case studies that positively impacted businesses and communities, aligning with Egypt’s Vision 2030 national development goals.

During the summit, speakers put forth several recommendations to accelerate harm reduction approaches and mitigate harmful practices. These recommendations included the establishment of a national alliance among companies and stakeholders in Egypt to set standards for risk reduction.

They also emphasized incorporating harm reduction into university curricula to promote the efficient use of natural resources and combat climate change.

Public education on harm reduction and its integration into daily practices was highlighted as a means to respond more effectively and cost-efficiently to anticipated risks.

The summit also stressed the importance of implementing harm reduction approaches in various medical fields, such as psychiatry, oncology, pulmonology, and cardiology, to improve public health. Aligning risk reduction policies with international laws to ensure the sustainability of Egyptian exports was another key recommendation.

Other recommendations included increasing medical and electronic waste recycling facilities, financing green and sustainable projects, promoting a green economy to boost Egyptian exports, reducing renewable energy prices to incentivize investment, utilizing electric vehicles to lower pollution and carbon emissions, and constructing more green cities using eco-friendly building materials.

The summit, sponsored by Vodafone Egypt, Jazeera Paints, Philip Morris Egypt, and Hyde Park Developments, gathered local and regional experts and specialists from the government and private sector.