Egypt’s Minister of Environment Yasmine Fouad has met with Patricia Espinosa — the Executive Secretary of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change — to discuss the country’s preparations to host the COP27 climate summit in Sharm El-Sheikh.
During the meeting, Fouad confirmed that Egypt was working hard to move forward with the road map for the 27th Conference of Parties on Climate Change and its executive action plan according to a clear timetable.
This is even as a series of continuous and periodic meetings are being held with all concerned parties.
According to Fouad pointed, Egypt sees its presidency of the upcoming COP 27 with a different perspective, not only at the level of the expected outputs, but also the impetus that it will achieve for climate action in Egypt.
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She noted that the preparations which began years ago showed some of its fruits in integrating climate change adaptation measures in the development plans of all ministries.
She maintained that the state’s environmental plans provided added value to the private sector to invest in climate projects and consider the climate dimension by issuing the first package of green economic tools in the fields of renewable energy, manufacturing electric cars, and alternatives to single-use plastic bags.
“Egypt’s hosting of the COP 27 is a great opportunity to change citizens’ perceptions of the challenge of climate change and their inclusion in facing its effects, so a national climate dialogue will be launched at the end of this month with the aim of involving the Egyptian citizen in climate action” the minister stated.
While reviewing the main axes of the 2050 National Climate Change Strategy, Fouadstressed the importance of strengthening climate governance as an important element, especially in managing the relationship with partners and sectors intersecting with climate action.
Responding, Espinosa praised the efforts made by Egypt to host COP 27 and its determination to ensure that the conference serves as a turning point in the national track for climate action and for the full implementation of the Paris Agreement.
According to her, Egypt’s efforts in creating a supportive climate for integrating the dimension of climate change into development and creating national momentum will achieve the required credibility to encourage citizens to participate in climate action and create new partnerships at the regional and global levels.
Story was adapted from Daily News Egypt.
