Minister of Local Development: Turning ideas into solutions that serve society is the true goal of environmental innovation

Cairo - Ahmed Sabri: Minister of Local Development and Environment, Dr. Manal Awad, participated yesterday in the awards ceremony for the winners of the first edition of the Sidaari Environmental Innovation Award and the Stockholm Junior Water Prize – Egypt 2026. The event was attended by numerous officials, ambassadors, representatives of ministries and government entities, academic and research institutions, jury members, partners, media personnel, and a number of innovative students and youth.

In her speech during the ceremony, Dr. Manal Awad expressed her pleasure at participating in honoring the winners, extending her gratitude to the Regional Organization for Upgrading Water, Sanitation and Environment (Sidaari), its partners, and the jury committees for organizing these initiatives and providing young people with the opportunity to present innovative solutions to environmental challenges.

The Minister of Local Development and Environment emphasized that the honored projects confirm that environmental innovation begins with observing a real problem in society, which then transforms, through research and experimentation, into a solution that can be developed and implemented. She noted that the Sidaari Award provided a platform for ideas addressing several important issues, including climate and nature, the circular economy, water resource efficiency, food and water security, renewable energy, and urban resilience.

She clarified that the Stockholm Junior Water Prize offered Egyptian innovators the opportunity to showcase their ideas in an international competition, representing a significant chance to exchange expertise and highlight the capabilities of Egyptian youth in providing innovative solutions to water-related and sustainability challenges.

She congratulated all winners and participants, affirming that every serious project reaching this stage reflects scientific effort and a genuine desire to serve society. She called on young people to continue testing and developing their ideas and seeking partners who can assist them in moving their projects to the implementation stage, stressing that the true impact of innovation is realized when it reaches people, helps protect their resources, and creates better opportunities for future generations.

The Minister of Local Development and Environment pointed out that since its establishment in 1992, Sidaari has contributed to linking environmental knowledge with decision-making and fieldwork in the Arab region and beyond, through various fields including integrated water resources management, capacity building, environmental information preparation, and the development of digital tools that facilitate data and expertise exchange among institutions.

She highlighted the cooperation between Sidaari and the Environmental Affairs Agency in preparing environmental status reports, which has helped support the availability of reliable information on environmental challenges and trends for policymakers, in addition to several studies related to sustainable development. She expressed her anticipation to build upon achievements realized within the framework of cooperation with Sidaari, particularly in areas combining natural resource protection and improving citizens' lives, foremost among them environmental planning, climate change adaptation, water and waste management, biodiversity protection, and supporting governorates with solutions that respond to their local priorities.

The Minister stressed that the success of any environmental project requires scientific knowledge, institutional coordination, and genuine participation from communities affected by these projects, emphasizing the importance of transforming studies and partnerships into practical tools that help institutions and communities make better decisions.

In conclusion of her speech, Dr. Manal Awad renewed her congratulations to all winners and participants, expressing her appreciation to Sidaari, its partners, and everyone who contributed to supporting and encouraging youth innovation, wishing them continued success.

Dr. Manal Awad, Minister of Local Development and Environment, honored the winners. The student Anas Yousef Al-Ashqar from the sister State of Palestine won first place in the Sidaari Environmental Innovation Award 2026. Meanwhile, student Basma Reda Diab from Dakahlia Governorate won first place in the Stockholm Junior Water Prize – Egypt 2026, representing Egypt in the international finals in Stockholm, and won the People’s Choice Award for 2026. The ceremony also included welcoming student Bilal Amjad, who achieved fourth place in the Stockholm Junior Water Prize – Egypt 2025, in recognition of his participation in the Stockholm Water Week 2026. Additionally, the youth winners who achieved first place in the Sidaari Environmental Innovation Award were honored.