His Holiness Pope Tawadros II Signs a Cooperation Protocol between the Coptic Orthodox Church and the Egyptian Ministry of Environment

His Holiness Pope Tawadros II, Pope of Alexandria and Patriarch of the See of St. Mark, and Dr. Yasmine Fouad, Minister of Environment, signed a cooperation protocol between the Coptic Orthodox Church and the Egyptian Ministry of Environment. The Coptic Orthodox Church also released a document expressing its position on environmental protection in the presence of His Grace Bishop Yolyous, General Bishop of Coptic Cairo and the Bishopric of Public, Social and Ecumenical Services, and several ambassadors and representatives of United Nations bodies and civil society organizations.

The cooperation agreement aims to promote joint action in the field of environmental issues and to reach a general culture of a society that translates into positive behaviours towards the environment and its natural resources to protect the environment and achieve sustainable development.

His Grace Bishop Yolyous pointed out in his speech the importance of partnership for the development of Egyptian society and to reach the neediest and marginalized groups.
His Grace stressed that the episcopate pays great attention to supporting environmental issues, especially climate change issues, because of their social and economic impacts that hinder the development process.
This requires more cooperation between all parties concerned to protect and develop it.
In her speech, Her Excellency Dr. Yasmine Fouad, Minister of Environment, praised the efforts of the Coptic Church, led by His Holiness Pope Tawadros II.
The efforts made to support the state’s efforts to preserve the environment and its resources
She stressed that the government pays great attention to the environmental dimension and realizes the importance of raising the awareness of individuals.
Noting that the government seeks not only to protect the environment but also to sustain resources to ensure their survival for future generations.
The Minister praised the church’s role in implementing the National Climate Change Strategy 2050, which will be implemented with the participation of all segments of society.
Her Excellency the Minister also appreciated the document launched by the Coptic Church, from which the most important development messages were extracted, including linking environmental preservation to the idea of ​​societies’ resilience in the face of the effects of climate change,
Since the developing countries, including Egypt, although they did not cause climate change emissions, are the most affected by it,
This requires strengthening the capabilities of those countries to adapt to the effects of climate change and creating societies that are resilient to the effects of climate change.
The Minister also praised the Church’s role in the recently launched National Climate Dialogue to raise awareness and promote the participation of various groups, including youth, politicians, clergy, women and civil society, in facing the challenge of climate change.

This report was originally published on the coptic orthodox church website. Please click here to read the full text.