Bilateral relations between Egypt and Denmark are witnessing a tangible development in various fields. This has crystallised politically in the two countries’ keenness to exchange views and coordinate positions on international issues of common concern, in addition to exchanging visits between senior officials in order to activate bilateral relations.
In an interview with the Egyptian Mail, Svend Olling, the Danish Ambassador to Egypt, highlighted the remarkable progress in bilateral ties, with focus on environmental and economic domains.
Climate action
As the whole world is now grappling with the severe impacts of climate change, the Danish Ambassador stressed the need to “walk the talk”. He highlighted the Danish strategy in addressing climate change, saying that the government has set very high and mandatory standards, including 70 per cent emissions reductions by 2030.
“It is only in nine years. This is very ambitious and very difficult. We have to invent things as we go along. It is possible with applying new technologies that will help. We need to push politically for this,” the ambassador said.
Denmark, he continued, is one of the most ambitious and active countries in climate change issues at international level, referring to the Danish co-operation with the European Union in this regard.
Regarding climate action, the ambassador believes that applying modern technologies should be given a priority, stressing the paramount importance of cooperating with other countries like Egypt, China and UK to enhance the use of such technology.
The ambassador also referred to the first-ever artificial wind energy island that will be established in Denmark and will become a beacon of the clean energy transition.
“This is the first of its kind in the world and the biggest investment ever which will harvest largest amount of artificial wind energy,” he noted.
In addition to technology, the ambassador emphasised the need to work with people already suffering from climate change to know how the society is prepared to deal with climate change.
Regarding co-operation with Egypt, the ambassador expressed his happiness with the level of joint environmental co-operation.
“When it comes to transition to renewable energy, which is the centre of climate change efforts, Egypt is a regional leader in this and has done impressive work in this regard. Egypt is very strong in the three main types of renewable power. Egypt is very strong in hydro power, in wind power, and in solar power,” he said.
“I am really impressed by the progress that Egypt has made,” he said. The ambassador referred to Egypt’s new goal to generate 42 per cent of renewables in 2030.
“We are very optimistic to get there but it is going to be tough work,” he added.
As for joint co-operation, the ambassador said Denmark has been working with Egypt in energy and climate change all the way since 1980s.
“You will find that the wind atlas, that allows for wind resource assessment and siting anywhere in Egypt, was issued in co-operation with Denmark. The very first wind farm in Egypt in Zaafarana was with the Danish grant and it is still working till now. We also have signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with Egypt to work in wind sector,” he said.
Meanwhile, the ambassador noted that Egypt is climate vulnerable country.
“We are scared of the expected impact as some expect massive floods, while some expect droughts and reduction in the flow of the River Nile.”
As Egypt is to host COP27, the ambassador expressed his happiness to see how Egypt is taking leadership.
“This means that Egypt will be president of the COP, leading the international efforts and negotiations. We will be the compromise maker. We are ready to offer our Egyptian friends any kind of support they need as we did with the UK.”
Regarding the climate finance, in 2009 at the fifteenth conference of the parties (COP15) of the UN Climate Change Conference (UNFCCC) in Copenhagen, climate finance funding of $100 billion a year by 2020 was agreed. The developed countries have pledged to mobilise $100 billion annually for climate adaptation and green transition in developing countries.
“Denmark is very keen to push for this. It is leading the way and contributing at least 1 per cent of the total amount though it is a small country. So, we are over achievers,” the ambassador said.
Promising economic ties
According to the ambassador, economic and trade ties between the two countries are good as the total trade is LE25 billion.
“We need to take it further,” he added. “Twelve per cent of ships moving through Suez Canal are from the Danish company Maersk, which also co-operates with Egypt in establishing the container terminal. Egypt also has the ambition to be regional hub and Denmark has technology for that. So, this is also partnership,” he said.
Danish investment in Egypt comes in 20th place though Denmark is small country and despite Covid-19 ramifications.
“This is because the two countries have the same business culture and ethics.”
Discussion about this post