CAIRO- Egyptian President Abdel Fattah El Sisi witnessed on Wednesday the opening of the second Egypt – International Co-operation Forum (Egypt – ICF) in the New Administrative Capital (NAC).
Prime Minister Mostafa Madbouli attended the event alongside Foreign Minister Sameh Shoukry, senior state officials and a cluster of African and international figures.
The three-day forum will see the participation of a host of African Ministers of Finance, Economy, and Environment along with a galaxy of senior officials, international figures, development partners, international financial institutions and representatives of NGOs and research centres.
Minister of International Co-operation Rania al-Mashat underlined the importance of the forum which is held ahead of the United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP27) in November.
The forum will discuss a host of issues, including mobilizing financing for the climate change agenda and its repercussions along with reviewing efforts and the adopted national measures in this respect.
The forum aims in the first place to move from the stage of commitments and financial pledges to actual implementation of quick and tangible measures.
The forum will also involve holding a roundtable on promoting for the available investment projects in Egypt in preparation for showcasing them in the COP27, which will be held in Sharm El Sheikh in November.
The Egypt-ICF started with a documentary film on coordinating future international visions ahead of COP27 to cater for development needs, climate ambitions and just transition to green economy.
The film underlined that there is no option other than alternative plans, joining hands and coordinating efforts and visions in Africa to move from the stage of commitments to taking action.
Addressing the opening of the forum, Foreign Minister Sameh Shoukry said Egypt gives top priority to the climate change, stressing the importance of intensifying international co-operation in the face of the challenges facing the world, especially climate change.
Shoukry hoped that COP27 will be a turning point in confronting climate change and adaptation to the negative impact of climate change, especially in African countries.
For her part, Minister of International Co-operation Rania al-Mashat said the forum will tackle key climate-related national issues, foreign loans and means of supporting climate finance.
She noted that Egypt has launched the 2050 national strategy for climate change, underlining the importance of multilateral international cooperation to confront climate challenges.
She thanked Egypt’s development partners for their efforts.
Deputy Secretary-General of the United Nations (UN) Amina J. Mohammed said the world is facing the great dangers of climate change and special measure should be taken in this regard.
She added that Egypt has taken important initiatives for green transitions and localizing green investments.
She stressed that investment in climate change has become a fait accompli, highlighting that there is an urgent need to co-operate to confront climate change.
She added that UN Secretary General António Guterres has called for upping funds for climate change measures.
She urged localizing solutions for confronting climate change within the framework of a comprehensive mechanism.
She expounded that developing countries cannot bear the expense of green transition and need help in this regard.
She added that the United Nations is ready to fully support Egypt.
US Special Presidential Envoy for Climate John Kerry said the 27th Conference of the Parties to the UNFCCC (COP27) in Egypt’s Sharm el-Sheikh in November can help in reaching solutions to the climate crisis.
He cautioned that if efforts for confronting climate action were not stepped up, the matter would be costly.
He noted that there are many challenges facing the world over the climate crisis.
He added that there are several African countries that will be severely affected by climate change.
Kerry said about 15 million people worldwide die from the greenhouse gas emissions and lack of the quality of life.
He stressed that the climate change problems are man-made and there should be solutions from all parties.
Kerry underlined the importance of cutting gas emissions.
He added that more important decisions should be taken to confront the negative impact of climate change so that the world can reach a low carbon economy.
He stressed that the world should work together in the coming period to secure the needed finance for supporting climate action efforts.
President of the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) Odile Renaud-Basso said the private sector is the key partner in the development process and in confronting climate change.
She added that the world is living in an age full of major changes.
She said Egypt has many energy sources, noting that EBRD is backing Egypt’s implementation of these projects.
Meanwhile, Mark Carney, the UN special envoy on climate action and finance, underlined the importance of international action to find new ways for mobilizing sustainable development financing and developing green energy resources in Africa.
Carney underlined the importance of promoting private sector investment in the field of carbon trade.
He urged international development banks to support climate adaptation measures in Africa.
He added that efforts are underway to reach zero carbon emissions.
Benedict Okey Oramah, the President of the African Export–Import Bank, said Africa is at cross-roads. Africans are the main victims of the carbon emissions witnessed today although they are their least contributors, Oramah said.
Oramah expressed gratitude to President Abdel Fattah El Sisi for offering this chance for tackling such important issues, noting that the climate is worsening.
The COP27 will convene two months later in Sharm el Sheikh to review the commitment made over the past years and introduce new ones, he said.
