Engineer Sherif El-Sherbiny, Minister of Housing, Utilities, and Urban Communities, inaugurated the International Conference of the National Housing and Building Research Center (HBRC) on behalf of Prime Minister Dr. Mostafa Madbouly on Saturday evening. The conference, titled “Future Outlook and Urban Development Challenges: Smart and Sustainable Green Building Between Present and Future,” marks the 70th anniversary of the establishment of the center.
The event, held in collaboration with the International Finance Corporation (IFC), brought together a diverse group of experts to discuss critical issues related to achieving sustainable development goals (SDGs), with a focus on smart and sustainable green building.
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ToggleThe Role of Buildings in Energy Consumption
In his address, Minister Sherif El-Sherbiny highlighted that, according to global estimates, buildings account for over 34% of energy consumption, making them a major contributor to carbon emissions. As a result, international efforts are converging to create resilient, sustainable communities through initiatives promoting smart green building.
Egypt’s Focus on Urban Development
El-Sherbiny emphasized that Egypt prioritizes urban development as part of its national development agenda under “Egypt Vision 2030.” The first goal of this vision focuses on enhancing the quality of life for Egyptian citizens and improving living standards in line with the New Urban Agenda and the UN Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 11, which calls for inclusive, safe, resilient, and sustainable cities and human settlements.
He noted that Egypt has launched several national strategies and initiatives to promote green, sustainable building and build resilience against climate change. The most recent is the “Framework Strategy for Transitioning to Green Urbanization and Building,” announced by President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi during the World Urban Forum. This strategy focuses on key areas of action, including green construction, to align with Egypt’s strategic vision and international commitments.
Preserving Resources and Improving Quality of Life
El-Sherbiny explained that the framework strategy aims to implement planning, financial, and institutional measures to establish an environmentally sustainable building sector. This involves improving resource and energy efficiency while preserving the environment, ultimately benefiting the economy and enhancing citizens’ quality of life. He highlighted that this approach aligns with President El-Sisi’s “A New Beginning” initiative, which focuses on resource management and reducing living costs for citizens.
Green Building Technology: A Path to Sustainability
The Minister underscored the importance of green building technologies as one of the most effective solutions for achieving sustainable development. Modern technologies provide tools and techniques to optimize resource use, reduce waste, and minimize pollution, which are key principles of sustainable architecture and green building.
Future Plans for Green Building Projects
El-Sherbiny announced that the Ministry of Housing has integrated green building into its plans through 2030, with several public-private partnership (PPP) projects already underway. Additionally, the government is preparing to offer incentives to encourage the real estate sector to adopt green building practices.
By promoting smart, sustainable construction, Egypt continues to align its national development goals with global efforts to combat climate change and foster resilient, future-ready communities