CAIRO, July 20 (Xinhua) -- Egyptian Environment Minister Yasmine Fouad has resigned to take up her new role as Executive Secretary of the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD), the Egyptian cabinet announced Sunday.

Prime Minister Mostafa Madbouly accepted Fouad's resignation and assigned Local Development Minister Manal Awad to temporarily carry out the environment minister's duties in addition to her current role, according to a cabinet statement.

Madbouly said Fouad's appointment is "a testament to her capability to assume major responsibilities to support the international organization's efforts" and "a culmination of her long-standing efforts and expertise in the field."

In a separate statement, the Environment Ministry said Fouad expressed gratitude for President Abdel-Fattah al-Sisi's support for environmental efforts, highlighted her cooperation with Madbouly and relevant ministries, and voiced confidence in Awad's ability to continue advancing Egypt's environmental work.

She also highlighted Egypt's progress over the past years in integrating environmental priorities into national development policies, including waste management, air quality, and biodiversity conservation.

Fouad had been serving as Egypt's environment minister since 2018. Her appointment as UNCCD executive secretary was announced by UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres in May. ■