Report on the Launch of the Blue Economy Roadmap for Advancing Marine and Coastal Eco-Practices in Egypt: SwitchMed II Project in Egypt, Policy Component

This document reports on a 15 February 2024 Cairo workshop convened by Egypt’s Ministry of Environment with CEDARE and UNEP to launch a national roadmap centered on coastal and marine ecotourism within the blue economy framework. It outlines objectives to present the roadmap’s vision, debate challenges and interventions through expert panels, and catalyze partnerships across government, private sector, NGOs, and academia; 52 stakeholders attended. Key content includes a methodology led by Sina Hbous, core pillars—conservation alignment, diversification and infrastructure upgrades, climate resilience, and community empowerment—and priority enablers such as KPIs, a finance task force, integration with existing SCP efforts, and a dedicated coordinating body. Identified constraints include weak enforcement, site overuse, outdated infrastructure, limited local benefits, and climate pressures.