Egypt applied to host the United Nations Conference on Climate Change Conference (COP27) since the political leadership is aware of the catastrophic impact of climate change on Africa and developing nations, a high-ranking official said on Sunday.
In statement by African Observatory of Emigration director Namira Negm to the official Middle East News Agency (MENA), she cited President Abdel Fattah El Sisi’s statements in which he stressed that the COP27 conference will be a turning point in international efforts aiming at fighting climate change.
The Egyptian government geared for the conference by launching a multi-faceted plan, Negm said.
Foreign Minister Sameh Shoukri as the new COP27 president will launch an initiative during the conference on food security, agriculture, green hydrogen, new energy and decent life in Africa, Negm added.
She voiced hope that the outcomes of the conference will realise the aspirations of nations in face of climate change.
On of the greatest challenges to climate action in Africa is the mobilisation of funds, Negm said, adding that reducing carbon emissions and adaptation to climate change will cost trillions of dollars to reduce harmful emissions and to adapt with the negative effects of climate change.
Negm warned of the grave consequences of ignoring calls for reducing emissions, saying that instead of cutting emissions by 45 per cent as agreed before, emissions were up by 14 per cent.
The continued increase in the temperature of the planet is the result of pollution that would destroy mankind, she said.
Climate change brings food insecurity and thus causes internal and cross-boundary emigration, she added, referring to the latest study that suggested the movement of 86 million migrants in Africa by 2050.
She went on to say the WB warned that 38.5 million people would be forced to move within their countries or across borders, on a permanent or temporary basis, as a result of environment changes of Lake Victoria.
A series of side events, panel discussions, and roundtables have been scheduled Finance Day, Adaptation and Agriculture Day, Water Day, Decarbonisation Day, Science Day, Solution Day, Gender Day, Energy Day, Biodiversity Day, Youth and Future Generations Day and Civil Society Day.
Head of UN Office on Drugs and Crime Ghada Wali said Egypt’s hosting of COP27 in Sharm el-Sheikh reflects the confidence of the world that Egypt is capable of organising the event.
COP27 tackles one of the most important issues in the world including climate change, losing biological diversity and pollution, Wali said in press statements, Wali said.
The conference is held with the participation of 50,000 people, 150 states and leaders from 120 countries, Wali added.
COP27 is building on the outcomes of COP26 held in Glasgow, UK last year, she said.
Slovenian President Borut Pahor underlined the importance of Egypt’s regional role, including its vital contribution to the Union for the Mediterranean (UfM), along with being a key partner to Slovenia in the Middle East and North Africa.
In remarks to MENA, the Slovenian president lauded Egypt’s hosting of the United Nations Climate Change Conference (UNCCC), describing the event as “decisive” to climate action.
He also reiterated his country’s commitment to doubling its financing pledges in response to climate adaptations, in line with COP26 climate pledges.
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