Minister of International Cooperation Rania Al-Mashat met with Nigel Topping, the British climate action pioneer and high-level UN representative for the COP27 Climate Summit, in the presence of Gareth Bailey, British Ambassador in Cairo, as part of her meetings with multilateral and bilateral development partners and representatives of regional and international organizations on the Egypt’s preparations for the COP27 climate summit to be held next November in Sharm El-Sheikh.
During the meeting, the Minister of International Cooperation reviewed the Egyptian efforts exerted to push the transition to a green economy and prepare for the United Nations Climate Conference COP27, where the National Climate Change Strategy 2050 and the nationally determined contributions to reduce emissions were launched. The meeting also touched on discussing the Egyptian and African priorities in the next session of the climate summit, and discussing how to advance climate change adaptation projects and equal opportunities for both genders in climate action.
Al-Mashat pointed out that the COP27 Climate Summit is working to strengthen global efforts to move from climate pledges to implementation and motivate the international community to fulfill its financial pledges, especially for developing countries and emerging economies to implement their climate ambition, support the transition to a green economy, and finance adaptation projects and mitigate the repercussions of changes. She noted that the Ministry of International Cooperation is working through discussions with development partners to strengthen innovative financing mechanisms in order to stimulate financing and risk reduction tools to advance the participation of the private sector and relevant parties in financing climate action.
Al-Mashat also referred to the launch of the “Now” program, through which the Ministry of International Cooperation aims to promote the list of green projects prepared by the government in the energy, food and water sectors, among multilateral and bilateral development partners, with the aim of shifting from pledges to implementation, and mobilizing efforts The international initiative aimed at promoting the transition to a green economy, under the umbrella of the National Climate Change Strategy 2050, to enhance green transformation efforts in these sectors, noting that the Ministry of International Cooperation is coordinating with the concerned national authorities to provide development financing and grants necessary to implement these projects, as well as support efforts to stimulate Innovative financing and risk mitigation tools, in a way that pushes the private sector to participate effectively in implementing these projects, as it is a major partner in achieving development.
She noted that the ministry has already sent this list to all multilateral and bilateral development partners, to study it and review the state’s plans to accelerate comprehensive and sustainable development efforts, and is moving forward in order to coordinate to mobilize the necessary funds.
She also spoke about the Egypt-ICF Forum, which will represent an important preparatory gathering ahead of the Climate Summit, where it will bring together African Ministers of Finance and Environment and relevant parties from the international community, to discuss uniting efforts and messages and enhance discussions on the COP27 Climate Summit.
The Minister of International Cooperation discussed, with the British pioneer of climate action, preparations to participate in the regional workshop held in the framework of preparations for Egypt’s presidency of the United Nations Climate Conference COP27, which will discuss regional initiatives to finance climate action and advance the implementation of the sustainable development goals.
For his part, the British climate action pioneer pointed out that the Egyptian government launched the “Nowfa” program, and its integrated approach to promoting green projects in the fields of food, energy and water, pointing to the importance of joint action to push the transition from pledges to implementation during the upcoming climate summit.
It is worth noting that the ongoing portfolio of the Ministry of International Cooperation includes 372 projects worth $26.5 billion, including 28 projects worth $2.85 billion in the field of adaptation to climate change, and 46 projects to mitigate the effects of climate change, with development funds amounting to $7.8 billion.
Source: State Information Service Egypt