Launch of the “Consortium for Alexandria” to strengthen resilience against crises, disasters, and climate change
Alexandria, March 24, 2026
Launch of the “Consortium for Alexandria”
Engineer Ayman Attia, Governor of Alexandria, attended today the launch event of the “Consortium for Alexandria,” which comes within the framework of supporting the Egyptian state’s efforts to enhance resilience to climate change and reduce disaster risks. The initiative is organized by the United Nations Office for Disaster Risk Reduction (UNDRR) in Egypt, in cooperation with the Cabinet and Alexandria Governorate.
High-Level international participation
The event was attended by more than 60 participants including high-level representatives from the United Nations and international and local partners, including Ms. Elena Panova, UN Resident Coordinator in Egypt; Major General Tamer Abdel Rahman, Assistant Secretary-General of the Cabinet, Mr. Fumio Iwai, Ambassador of Japan to Egypt, and Ms. Sandra Emlang, Chief of the UNDRR Regional Office, in addition to several consuls in Alexandria, as well as a number of executive leaders, experts, and specialists.
Alexandria’s growing climate challenges
In his speech, the Governor of Alexandria welcomed attendees to the historic city, emphasizing that Alexandria has long been a global center of culture and civilization. He noted that the city is currently facing increasing challenges due to climate change, despite its negligible contribution to global carbon emissions.
He explained that Alexandria, which covers an area of approximately 2,345 km² and is home to nearly 5.5 million people, has witnessed noticeable climate changes in recent years. These include increased rainfall intensity, more frequent storms, and rising sea levels, factors that necessitate the development of effective mechanisms to address these challenges, particularly given the city’s coastal nature and dense population along the coastal strip.
The Governor affirmed that Alexandria is working under an integrated vision to confront these challenges, within the framework of Egypt’s Climate Change Strategy 2050 and Egypt Vision 2030. This includes implementing major projects for climate adaptation and emissions reduction. He highlighted the execution of a comprehensive rainwater management project, as well as nine coastal protection projects to combat shoreline erosion.
He added that these efforts include the construction of concrete wave breakers, the establishment of coastal barriers, and the upgrading of the Corniche, all of which contribute to protecting infrastructure and vital facilities from flooding risks and high waves.
A strategic step toward urban resilience
The Governor noted that the launch of the “Consortium for Alexandria” represents a pivotal strategic step toward unifying efforts among all partners through an integrated platform for exchanging expertise and mobilizing resources. This will support building a more resilient and adaptive city by developing infrastructure, enhancing early warning systems, and raising community awareness. He also reaffirmed the Governorate’s commitment to applying international frameworks, foremost among them the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction, thereby strengthening Alexandria’s position as a leading city in urban resilience.
This initiative also comes as part of the United Nations Office for Disaster Risk Reduction’s (UNDRR) broader efforts under World Tsunami Awareness Day (WTAD), which highlights the importance of strengthening preparedness, early warning systems, and community resilience to coastal hazards. Through this framework, the “Consortium for Alexandria” contributes to raising awareness and advancing proactive measures to reduce disaster risks in vulnerable coastal cities.
National commitment to disaster risk reduction
For his part, Major General Tamer Abdel Rahman, Assistant Secretary-General of the Cabinet, emphasized that the Egyptian state, and under the leadership of the President and with direct oversight from the Prime Minister places disaster risk reduction at the top of its priorities. This stems from a firm belief that building resilient communities is the cornerstone of achieving sustainable development and protecting national resources.
He pointed out that the government is working under a comprehensive vision that focuses on transitioning from reactive crisis response to proactive preparedness. This is being achieved through the development of policies and programs, strengthening infrastructure, and integrating risk reduction considerations into development plans to minimize losses and enhance communities’ ability to recover quickly and effectively.
Strengthening partnerships and resource mobilization
He added that the launch of the “Consortium for Alexandria” reflects a serious national direction toward mobilizing financial and technical resources, and strengthening partnerships with international organizations foremost among them the United Nations to transform Alexandria into a leading model of resilient cities in the region. He also stressed the importance of integrating the roles of state institutions, civil society, and the private sector, alongside supporting scientific research and raising community awareness, as a prelude to replicating this successful experience across other governorates.
Ms. Elena Panova, the UN Resident Coordinator in Egypt, stated: “A resilient Alexandria is within reach. The United Nations system stands ready to support this journey, working alongside national and local partners to advance a more resilient, inclusive, and sustainable future for Alexandria and beyond.”
Meanwhile, Ms. Sandra Emlang, Director of the UNDRR Regional Office, affirmed that the “Consortium for Alexandria” is not an endpoint, but rather a starting point for collective, partnership-based action. She stressed the importance of translating commitments into tangible implementation steps and building real resilience capacities to address future challenges, expressing her appreciation for Alexandria Governorate’s support of the initiative.
As part of the event, the Governor of Alexandria listened to a detailed presentation on the integrated risk analysis map, which identifies areas of vulnerability and susceptibility within the city. The Governor discussed the presentation, emphasizing the importance of such analysis in supporting decision-making and developing effective proactive plans for crisis management.