EXI knowledge transfer for better waste management in the MENA region

Group photo excursion visit Tunis
Waste Management and EPR

One key activity of GIZ, as partner of the BMUV Export Initiative Environmental Protection (EXI), is fostering knowledge transfer and contributing to environmental protection worldwide. With other GIZ projects from Tunisia and Egypt, the GIZ project module in Jordan co-organized and conducted the workshop "Scaling Up Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) implementation in the MENA Region". This event was hosted in Tunis from March 4-5, 2024, aiming to foster cross-regional collaboration and innovation in environmental sustainability and thereby support better waste management in the MENA region. 


This event, hosted in Tunisia, brought together influential figures and institutions from across North Africa and the Middle East. Participants included environmental ministries, waste management agencies, and key stakeholders from Tunisia, Jordan, Egypt, Libya, Palestine, Lebanon, and Morocco. 


Speeches and presentations from environmental leaders and experts set a collaborative tone, emphasizing the shared commitment to advancing EPR. The speakers consisted of, but were not limited to: 
 

  • Madam Leila Chikhaoui, the Minister of Environment in Tunisia, 
  • Dr. Tarek Al Araby, the General Director of Waste Management Regulatory Authority in Egypt (WMRA), 
  • Badreddine El Asmar, the General Director of the National Agency of Waste Management in Tunisia (ANGed), and 
  • Christophe Pautrat, the key speaking EPR expert from the Landbell Group.

The agenda covered a wide range of topics, including waste management systems, regulatory frameworks, setup and monitoring tools for EPR and Producer Responsibility Organizations (PROs), as well as legislative, financial, and institutional reforms. The agenda also included an excursion to ECO-LEF, a public system for the recovery and recycling of packaging waste in Tunisia, and a cultural visit to the old city of Tunis (La Madina). 


Overall, the "Scaling Up EPR implementation in the MENA Region" workshop reflected GIZ's strategic vision to enhance environmental sustainability through regional synergies. By facilitating this platform for exchange and collaboration, GIZ, as part of the EXI, has contributed to advancing the dialogue on EPR, setting a strong foundation for future initiatives aimed at improving waste management and fostering sustainable environmental practices across the MENA region. This event not only highlighted the challenges faced in the region, but also better illuminated the way forward through shared learning.


Participating GIZ projects include:

 
(1) The Jordan project module working on EPR within the GIZ global project “Environmental Protection Worldwide” on behalf of the BMUV Export Initiative Environmental Protection (EXI). 

Developing sustainable services and infrastructures for environmental protection worldwide - giz.de
 

(2) National Solid Waste Management Programme (NSWMP) in Egypt on behalf of German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ).
 
National Solid Waste Management Program (NSWMP)/EU Green - giz.de


(3) Improving climate protection through circular economy in Tunisia on behalf of German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ).

Improving climate protection through circular economy in Tunisia - giz.de