Environment min.: Tourism sector affected by biological diversity, natural resources

Environment Minister Yassmin Fouad reiterated that the sector of tourism in Egypt is one of the important sectors that contribute to national economy with 12% to 15%, saying that it is one of the sectors affected badly by biological diversity and natural resources. She said that 90% of the tourism in Sharm el Sheikh depends on coasts, adding that this makes it necessary to maintain natural resources to guarantee sustainable tourism in these areas. This came during Fouad's participation on Tuesday in a series of roundtable meetings held in Montreal in Canada as part of 'Endgame Facilitation' workshop to prepare for COP16. It is necessary to abide by the UN contract to restore the environmental system, which aims at stopping environmental deterioration and restoring it to achieve global goals as it is complicated case that needs more talks with the different parties, she said. She said that COP14 asserted the role of the private sector in protecting the natural resources, pointing out to a group of segments whose role should not be neglected in maintaining the natural resources as civil and women community organizations. Source: State Information Service Egypt