The circular blue economy in Egypt: opportunities for regional cooperation and integration with Mediterranean countries for sustainable development

Abstract

This study examines the possibility of the Circular Blue Economy in Egypt to support sustainable development and the usage of its renewable resources, focusing on possibilities for regional collaboration, particularly in the Mediterranean region. The study's methodology was an analysis of missing policies, identifying key actors, and an expert survey to identify future collaborations and opportunities, which included 20 experts from diverse sectors. Current policies in Egypt (e.g., Egypt Vision 2030) and the Mediterranean region were analyzed against the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG 14) and regional initiatives such as BLUEMED and SwitchMed, highlighting shortcomings in cooperation, investment, and environmental measures. The main parties, including the Egyptian government, the Union for the Mediterranean (UfM), the private sector, and local communities, were grouped according to their level of interest and influence. Findings indicate that Egypt's strategic location and extensive coastline are suited to drive regional efforts in maritime tourism, aquaculture, and maritime transport. Yet, problems, including marine litter and underfunding, continue. Experts also support the creation of regional cooperation platforms and joint pollution monitoring systems. The paper concludes with policy recommendations to integrate circular economy concepts into government strategies, strengthen collaboration across the region, and establish a collaborative and innovation-based ocean governance model. The paper presents new ideas to support regional integration and suggests additional studies on sustainable financing mechanisms.