This session reviews the investment opportunities in the field of renewable energy, energy efficiency, and green solutions in the construction, industry, and sustainable agriculture sectors. This is due to the increasing demand for clean energy solutions and rationalization of energy consumption, and the importance of diversifying energy sources and achieving sustainable development.

This has a positive impact on the environment and the economy, and creates new job opportunities. Government policies and incentives supporting green investments in these promising sectors will be highlighted, and the potential returns and environmental and economic benefits from expanding environmentally friendly projects will be discussed, and the role of the private sector in supporting the financing of these projects through partnerships with the government and providing the necessary financing and expertise. There will be an opportunity to discuss the challenges and opportunities for increasing green investments in Egypt within a supportive and stimulating framework of policies and legislation.

Axes:

• Renewable energy and investment opportunities.
• Energy efficiency and eco-friendly sustainable solutions towards a green industry.

Motivating the private sector’s participation in adopting green projects to transfer knowledge and expertise.

Amidst the increasing global interest in integrating environmental sustainability practices and standards into industrial and global trade operations, as well as the opportunities presented by the growing demand for eco-friendly and low-carbon footprint products in response to the rapid challenges facing the world, including environmental, economic, and social crises, in addition to the impacts of climate change. This compels governments, all stakeholders, and concerned organizations to develop policies, tools for global trade, as well as production and manufacturing patterns and methods that meet environmental sustainability standards and maximize export rates.

Hence, the session focuses on addressing export strategies and standards for entering international markets, as well as developing supply and procurement chains to enhance the competitiveness of Egyptian exports, capacity-building mechanisms that support export development, and the impact of adopting green practices on increasing exports for companies.

The session also examines the main challenges faced by companies in obtaining technical and financial support to ensure their success in green exports, adopting environmentally friendly practices, and developing products that align with global market trends, where the adoption of green policies can provide many promising opportunities for developing countries to prepare for future trade markets and enhance their share of global trade.

Axes:

• Green export determinants and how they can contribute to Egypt’s share of global trade.
• Latest developments in policies and trade agreements aimed at reducing carbon emissions.
• Opportunities for technical and financial support available to enable companies to meet export requirements and standards for global markets.
• The potential for increasing exports of small and medium-sized enterprises in light of global trends and measures to adapt to and mitigate the effects of climate change.
• How to enhance and build the capacities of local companies and institutions to integrate them into global value chains.

The mechanism for carbon border adjustment stands as one of the European Union’s (EU) most important and recent tools amidst the evolving landscape of global trade. Its aim is to achieve a sustainable future and the EU’s ambitious goal of becoming the world’s first continent to reach net-zero emissions by 2050. Therefore, the discourse reviews the requirements for compliance with the carbon border adjustment mechanism and its implications. It also delves into the executive dimension of the reports and the key issues associated with and resulting from the implementation of this mechanism.

The mechanism is scheduled to come into full effect in 2026, underscoring the necessity of preparing for and adapting to its conditions, particularly concerning emission-intensive sectors in the initial phase of implementation. These include, notably, iron, steel, cement, aluminum, electricity, fertilizers, and hydrogen, with expectations for other sectors to be included in the future.

The significance of the discourse lies in the fact that the mechanism covers nearly 20% of exports to the EU, with certain sectors being highly exposed to it. Conversely, it highlights the mechanism as an opportunity to pave the way for sustainable products and goods, which will see increased demand for entry into European markets.

The discourse addresses the axes of fair carbon pricing and how the carbon border adjustment mechanism impacts climate change, contributing to adaptation efforts and emission reduction. It also elucidates the relationship between the carbon border adjustment mechanism and the carbon market, considering it as a significant and effective tool designated by the European Commission to mitigate carbon leakage risks and drive transformation pathways towards achieving net-zero emissions.

This session will explore the influence of sustainable finance on the development of the carbon market and vice versa. We will delve into topics related to financing sustainable projects, such as green loans, social bonds, and sustainable investments, and how these mechanisms can contribute to economic growth and environmental sustainability. Additionally, we will discuss strategies for enhancing the carbon market and increasing its effectiveness, and how sustainable finance can play a pivotal role in supporting this development. We will review the policies and legislation necessary to promote sustainable finance and develop the carbon market, as well as examine case studies and successful experiences in this field.

Axes:

• The role of sustainable finance in supporting renewable energy projects and reducing carbon emissions.
• The impact of the carbon market on sustainable finance strategies and environmental investments.
• Challenges and opportunities in developing sustainable financing tools to enhance the effectiveness of the carbon market.

• Opportunities for development and innovation in sustainable finance and their impact on carbon market development.

In recent years, we have witnessed a continuous evolution and significant increase in green finance initiatives, seen as an urgent necessity and a fundamental pillar in confronting the challenges of climate change, the ramifications of which are worsening every day. Banks, financial institutions, and development organizations have been keen on providing diverse packages with varying conditions, specifications, and capabilities to support green transition projects. This includes integrating environmental standards, increasing responsible practices and investments, and enhancing transparency and disclosure.

Thus, the discourse reviews the offerings of green finance through its initiatives, products, and diverse financial services, such as green bonds, loans tied to environmental, social, and corporate governance (ESG) sustainability standards, impact investments, among others. It explores the avenues and opportunities available for providing low-cost, easy-access financing. It sheds light on the process of evaluating and selecting projects for funding, as well as the development of clear and transparent standards to determine eligible projects.

The discourse also addresses commonly adopted policies by project finance donors, in addition to the necessary requirements, documents, and data needed for projects or funding requests to qualify for acceptance. It provides an opportunity to clarify the guiding principles for funding applications and the proper procedures to be followed in applying for green finance programs and available loans. Furthermore, it offers solutions to common problems and mistakes during presentation and application to avoid them and increase the chances of acceptance and obtaining the required financing.

(AI) is considered a powerful tool in addressing the challenges posed by climate change and enhancing sustainable initiatives. There are many facets of AI that contribute to mitigating the impacts of climate change, along with the challenges and opportunities associated with its application in the green economy.

The discourse will discuss how AI technologies can enhance efforts to adapt to and combat climate change across various sectors. It will also review the solutions driven by AI to improve resource utilization and facilitate data-driven decision-making processes to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

Additionally, the discourse will address challenges in using AI technologies in the context of climate change, such as data availability and quality, ethical considerations, and the possibility of unintended consequences. It will also highlight opportunities for innovation and collaboration in developing AI solutions tailored to meet the needs of the green economy.