Egypt expands migratory bird conservation, eco-tourism initiatives
Environment Minister Yasmine Fouad met this week with Khaled El-Noubi, President of the Egyptian Society for Nature Conservation, and Tim Appleton, founder and director of the UK-based Global Birdfair, along with their delegation. During the meeting, a mural featuring various migratory bird species was presented and will be installed at the Galala Bird Observatory—symbolizing Egypt's enduring commitment to biodiversity conservation.
Minister Fouad highlighted Egypt's longstanding leadership in environmental protection, dating back to 1983 when the Nature Conservation Sector laid the foundation for the country's environmental governance. A significant milestone came in 2014, when Egypt hosted the UN Convention on Biological Diversity. That event prompted the country to integrate wildlife protection into its growing renewable energy agenda—particularly to safeguard migratory birds.
This dual focus yielded international recognition in 2019, when Egypt was awarded the AEWA (African-Eurasian Migratory Waterbird Agreement) Award for its efforts to protect birds along the Afro-Eurasian flyway.
Among Egypt's practical steps is the development of birdwatching sites, beginning in Sharm El-Sheikh, where rehabilitated oxidation ponds have been repurposed to attract migratory species. The Ministry has also partnered with tourism operators to incorporate birdwatching into eco-tourism itineraries.
Complementing these initiatives is the Eco Egypt campaign, which promotes 13 designated eco-destinations and raises public awareness of sustainable tourism. As part of this campaign, the Ministry—together with the Ministry of Tourism—introduced Egypt's first official standards for eco-lodges.
Minister Fouad also discussed restoration efforts at Lake Qarun in Fayoum, a once-critical migratory bird stopover that suffered from severe environmental degradation. Since the Ministry's intervention in 2018, bird populations have returned to the lake within just three years—an early sign of ecological recovery.
Fouad noted a growing public interest in wildlife, pointing to a recent photography exhibition by the Wildlife Conservation Association, which showcased images captured by local nature enthusiasts. The exhibit reflected an encouraging shift toward grassroots engagement in conservation.
Khaled El-Noubi commended the Ministry's leadership in mitigating threats to migratory birds and creating a solid framework for eco-tourism. He underscored Egypt's rising profile as a birdwatching destination amid global growth in avian tourism, citing the success of the Galala Bird Observatory. The site has recorded thousands of migratory birds, including sightings of endangered species such as the Egyptian vulture. He noted that protective measures implemented there demonstrate Egypt's growing role in global conservation.
Tim Appleton also praised Egypt's progress, calling the Galala initiative a strong example of how conservation and tourism can work in synergy. He emphasized the importance of international cooperation and local community engagement in addressing today's environmental challenges.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
CAF
27-06-2025
- CAF
Women's AFCON: Teams land in Morocco as tournament nears kick-off
Africa's top women's football nations have begun arriving in Morocco ahead of the highly anticipated TotalEnergies CAF Women's Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON), with defending champions South Africa among the first to pitch camp. The tournament, which kicks off on 5 July and runs until 26 July 2025, will see twelve of the continent's finest sides competing across Moroccan cities in what promises to be a fiercely contested edition of the championship. Banyana Banyana, who clinched their maiden WAFCON title in Morocco in 2022, arrived in Casablanca on Wednesday after a demanding 24-hour journey from Johannesburg, including a layover in Ghana. Despite travel delays, the South Africans wasted no time, holding their first training session shortly after settling in. African champions Banyana Banyana departed for Morocco this afternoon ahead of their defense of the Women's Africa Cup of Nations title next month.#LiveTheImpossible @SABC_Sport — Banyana_Banyana (@Banyana_Banyana) June 24, 2025 'It was a long and tiring trip, but we have arrived and nicely settled in, and we managed to have our first training session,' said head coach Dr Desiree Ellis. 'It's very exciting to be here to finally get started. There is a big tournament coming up and we have to be ready for it.' South Africa are drawn in Group C alongside Ghana, Mali and Tanzania. They open their title defence against the Black Queens of Ghana on 7 July, followed by fixtures against Tanzania (11 July) and Mali (14 July), all to be staged at Honneur Stadium in Oujda. Meanwhile, Zambia's Copper Queens are also intensifying preparations in Mohammédia. The team, led by coach Nora Häuptle, has been holding high-intensity sessions at the Lanoria Club, with both local and foreign-based players in camp. The Zambians face hosts Morocco in the tournament's opening match at the newly built Olympic Stadium in Rabat on 5 July. Zambia's group stage campaign continues with encounters against Senegal and DR Congo on 9 and 12 July, respectively, both at El Bachir Stadium in Mohammédia. Hosts Morocco remain camped in Rabat and will play a friendly against Tanzania at the Olympic Stadium on Saturday as part of their final preparations. The Lionesses, coached by Jorge Vilda Rodriguez, are also in Group A with Zambia, Senegal, and DR Congo. Senegal, for their part, have now departed for Morocco to begin their tournament build-up. Group B will feature continental heavyweights Nigeria, Tunisia, Algeria and Botswana. With the teams now assembling across the host nation, anticipation continues to build for the premier women's football event on the continent. All eyes will be on Morocco from next week, as the best of African women's football takes centre stage.
Mid East Info
26-06-2025
- Mid East Info
Sheikh Shakhbout Medical City Launches Dedicated Travel Health Clinic - Middle East Business News and Information
The new clinic will revolutionise the health needs of travellers in the UAE – safeguarding their health and the well-being of the wider community Abu Dhabi, UAE,June 2025: Sheikh Shakhbout Medical City SSMC, a flagship hospital in the UAE for serious and complex care and a subsidiary of the PureHealth group, has today announced the launch of its new Travel Health Clinic. This specialised clinic will address the evolving health needs of travellers – either departing from or arriving in the UAE – and thereby protecting both their individual well-being and the community's health. Proactive pre-travel consultations offered by SSMC's Travel Health Clinic can significantly reduce travel-associated health risks. Operationally supported by a dedicated multidisciplinary team of infectious disease doctors, travel health nurses, pharmacists, and laboratory staff, the clinic provides a comprehensive suite of pre- and post-travel medical services, designed to prevent and manage travel-related health risks. Dr. Zahir Babiker, interim division chair of tropical and infectious diseases, and consultant at SSMC, said: 'At SSMC, we are committed to advancing healthcare excellence in the region. The launch of our dedicated Travel Health Clinic reflects our leadership in tropical and travel medicine, providing expert, comprehensive support to ensure individuals are well-prepared, protected, and confident when they travel, giving them peace of mind both during their journey and upon their return.' Services provided by the Travel Health Clinic include pre-travel consultations and offering evidence-based, destination-specific health advice tailored to individual health profiles and itineraries. The clinic also administers essential immunisations for international travel, including yellow fever and meningococcal disease – based on destination-specific risk assessments. Preventative measures include protection against infectious diseases such as malaria and non-infectious conditions such as altitude sickness. Post-travel evaluations are also a core offering, involving expert clinical assessment and management of febrile illnesses or specific exposure concerns. In addition, the clinic facilitates certified medical fitness assessments often required by UAE-based foreign embassies. The clinic serves the full spectrum of international travellers , and individuals requiring official embassy-mandated medical certifications. To further support safe and well-prepared travel, SSMC is working closely with corporate partners, embassies, and insurance providers. The clinic is conveniently located within the Outpatient Department of SSMC. To book your travel consultation, a WhatsApp contact number is available, along with the Travel Health Clinic's website, the SEHA App, or – if in the UAE – by calling 800 7762. About Sheikh Shakhbout Medical City SSMC: Sheikh Shakhbout Medical City is one of the largest tertiary hospitals in the UAE offering the highest standards of medical expertise for the treatment of serious and complex conditions. Established in 2019, SSMC has 660 patient beds, 18 operating theatres, including a hybrid operating room and a 26-bed neonatal intensive care unit. Supported by the latest diagnostic and treatment modalities available, SSMC offers care in 46 specialties, bringing advanced and trusted quality care closer to the UAE and the wider region. About PureHealth: PureHealth is the largest healthcare group in the Middle East with an ecosystem that challenges lifespans and reimagines health spans. With 110+ hospitals, 316+ clinics, multiple diagnostic centres, health insurance solutions, pharmacies, health tech, procurement, investments and more, its groundbreaking innovations are at the forefront of healthcare as the company is on a mission to unlock time for humankind. By advancing the Science of Longevity, PureHealth is introducing the healthcare of the future from the United Arab Emirates to the rest of the world. PureHealth's network comprises: SEHA – One of the largest healthcare networks of hospitals and clinics in the UAE SEHA CLINICS – Delivering comprehensive community-based healthcare services Daman The National Insurance Company – The UAE's leading health insurer The Medical Office – Overseeing Sheikh Khalifa Hospitals and healthcare facilities established under the initiatives of H.H. The President of the UAE Rafed – The UAE's largest healthcare Group Purchasing Organisation PureLab – Managing and operating the largest network of laboratories in the region One Health – A network that provides end-to-end medical solutions to a base of over 300 healthcare service providers The Life Corner – Abu Dhabi's first holistic pharmacy, serving the health and wellness establishment Ardent Health Services – The fourth largest privately held acute care hospital operator in the US Circle Health Group – The largest independent operators of hospitals in the UK Hellenic Healthcare Group HHG – the largest private healthcare provider in Greece and Cyprus PureCS – A leading cloud and technology services provider, specialising in IT management and consulting solutions, cybersecurity, cloud services and AI information systems Sheikh Shakhbout Medical City SSMC – T he UAE's largest healthcare complex, delivering integrated complex care
Egypt Independent
24-06-2025
- Egypt Independent
How Zambian soccer recovered from a plane crash that killed a golden generation
CNN — In 1993, Zambia's national soccer team had captivated the nation. For once, there was real, genuine hope that this young, exciting squad could qualify for its first World Cup in 1994. To do so, the team would need to navigate the qualifying stages, where it would face other African teams battling for a position at the world's biggest sporting event, set to be hosted in the United States. But, in pursuit of that dream, Zambia suffered a disaster that would shock the world and kill almost the entirety of its golden generation. The Chipolopolo ('The Copper Bullets') had been due to play Senegal in a World Cup qualifier in Dakar, requiring a long and arduous plane journey up the continent of Africa. Such was the economic state of Zambia at the time, the team would often fly in a DHC-5 Buffalo military plane which would need multiple stops in order to refuel. The laborious route was set. The team would leave Zambia and fly to the Republic of Congo, then to Gabon, then to the Ivory Coast, before eventually landing in Senegal. Tragically, the plane never made it to its final destination. On April 27, 1993, the aircraft carrying the Zambian national team crashed into the Atlantic Ocean, shortly after leaving Gabon. A total of 18 players were killed, along with everyone else onboard. Fans pay their respects to the graves of those killed in the crash, including players, staff and often is the case in aviation disasters, the cause of the crash was a mixture of both bad luck and a series of errors. In his book 'Crash of the Buffalo' – which details the Zambian tragedy – author and former journalist Jay Mwamba said a fire in the left engine of the plane broke out shortly after leaving Gabon. In a panic, he said, the pilots shut down the right engine by mistake, causing the aircraft to plunge into the water below, killing everyone onboard. Before moving to the US to study, Mwamba had spent time following the team in his former role as a sports journalist. He knew many of the Zambian players personally and still remembers where he was when he heard about the tragedy. In the week prior to the crash, Mwamba had spoken to Kalusha Bwalya – the standout star of the Zambian team. Bwalya was playing in Europe for Dutch side PSV Eindhoven at the time and was due to meet up with the national team after it had landed in Senegal. Devastating accident It was Bwalya who rang Mwamba on that fateful morning to tell him the news. 'I instantly called my old newspaper in Zambia to find out more and they confirmed what I had heard. I started reeling off names (of players who might have been on the plane),' Mwamba told CNN Sports. Mwamba said he experienced a delayed reaction to the tragedy, with the reality only hitting him when he was watching a soccer match between England and the Netherlands later that day. 'They held a minute of silence for the Zambian team and that's when I started crying. That's when it really hit me,' he added. 'You see some of my favorite players bowing their heads, holding a minute's silence. I was devastated.' Back in Zambia, the news broke the hearts of a nation. At that time, the nation's economy was struggling and the men's soccer team was one of the few things that offered any glimmer of hope. After the crash, it appeared that light had been extinguished for good. Zambia team captain Kalusha Bwalya pays his respects to the graves of the Zambian national morning after the plane had crashed, debris and luggage from the plane started washing up on the shores of Gabon. The 30 people onboard were eventually buried just outside Independence Stadium in Lusaka, Zambia, at a memorial site called the 'Heroes' Acre.' Devastated by the disaster, Mwamba waited over 10 years before starting to research and write his book about the incident, which focuses heavily on the incredible comeback story of the national team. 'I was like everybody else. I was just shattered, just horrible, you know, just depressed for a year and I never thought of writing a book until a bit later, around 2007,' he said. 'I thought this has to be chronicled. I thought I could do a decent job since I knew a lot of the players. In fact, I knew one of the pilots.' Over a few years, Mwamba set about interviewing people about the incident – including people who were supposed to be flying on the plane. He also spoke to those tasked with rebuilding a team that Zambia could be proud of. He told CNN Sports that the decision to rebuild the team was made by those in charge of the national team as they flew to Gabon to retrieve the bodies. The call then went out to Bwalya, asking if he would lead the team in its World Cup qualifying campaign. He accepted and trials were held to find the new generation of stars. Zambian rebuild Incredibly, the new team gelled quickly and it beat Morocco 2-1 just 10 weeks after the disaster. However, despite the positive start, the Chipolopolo came up just short of qualifying for the 1994 World Cup. The team lost 1-0 in a rematch against the Atlas Lions in the final playoff game, bringing a gut-wrenching campaign to a heartbreaking conclusion. Despite the defeat, the team returned home heroes and refocused ahead of the 1994 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON). Led by Bwalya again, the new squad went on to reach the AFCON final but once again fell just short of continental success, losing 2-1 to Nigeria. It would be 18 years until Zambia found itself back with a shot at glory and it appeared destiny had an important role to play. In 2012, the Zambian team visited the coastline close to where the plane crashed in 1993. Thomas Mukoya/Reuters In 2012, the team went into the AFCON unfancied. Bwalya had since retired from playing and was now serving as the head of the Zambian soccer federation. Much to some people's surprise, Bwalya had re-hired head coach Hervé Renard the year before, after the Frenchman had left the role in 2010. He was tasked with guiding the underdog side through what many expected to be a difficult tournament. Incredibly, against all odds, Zambia reached the final of the tournament, which was to be played in Gabon, just a few miles away from where the crash occurred 19 years before. Before the final, the team visited the shoreline where the plane had plunged into the ocean, laying flowers in an emotional ceremony. Then, with the memory of that golden generation in their heads, the Zambian team beat Ivory Coast in the final, courtesy of a dramatic penalty shootout. With the win, Zambia secured its first – and only – Africa Cup of Nations title. 'We wanted to honor the dead players and that strengthened us. Our first game was against Senegal and the team was on its way to Senegal for a match when the plane crashed,' Renard said at the time. 'The plane crashed in Gabon and we won the final in Gabon. It is a sign of destiny.' Mwamba told CNN Sports that the memory of those who died in 1993 still lives on in the team today – despite many of the players not being born when the tragedy occurred. Now, 32 years on, the Zambian men's team has another chance of reaching a World Cup in the US. It currently sits third in its qualification group and has three games left including matches against two teams above it – Morocco and Tanzania – later this year. Mwamba said the team has a 50/50 chance of securing a playoff place for the 2026 World Cup, which is set to be hosted by the US, Canada and Mexico. If Zambia is to reach the tournament, you feel it might be destiny playing a part once again.
