Egypt’s Environment Minister Yasmine Fouad Resigns to Lead UN Desertification Body

Egypt’s Environment Minister,Dr Yasmine Fouad,has officially resigned to assume her new post as Executive Secretary of the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD),the Egyptian cabinet confirmed on Sunday,July 20. Prime Minister Mostafa Madbouly accepted her resignation and appointed Local Development Minister Manal Awad to temporarily oversee the Environment portfolio alongside her current duties.

Fouad,who had held the ministerial role since 2018,expressed gratitude for President Abdel-Fattah al-Sisi’s backing of environmental initiatives and praised collaborative progress made in waste management,air quality improvement,and biodiversity conservation. Her international appointment was described by Madbouly as a testament to her expertise and commitment to global environmental causes. The UN Secretary-General announced her new role in May,marking a significant milestone in her distinguished career.