The Egyptian and the UK governments reiterated their commitment to fighting climate change and advancing action towards a low carbon future on Saturday.
This was announced via a joint press release following a meeting on Saturday between Alok Sharma, the United Nations climate change conference’s 2021 president, Egyptian Foreign Affairs Minister Sameh Shoukry, and Egyptian Environmental Minister Yasmine Fouad, COP27’s ministerial coordinator and special representative.
The meeting was held to review the outcomes of COP26 and to prepare for COP27, which will be held in Egypt’s Red Sea resort of Sharm El-Sheikh in November.
“We will work together in 2022 and beyond to drive ambitious implementation of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) and the Paris Agreement,” read the joint statement.
Over 190 countries, including Egypt, signed the Paris Climate Agreement at COP21, which set a goal of limiting global warming to 1.5 degrees Celsius by this century.
According to the statement, both sides agreed to work together to ensure the 1.5 degree target is met, and to assist developing countries in adjusting to climate change.
The UK will provide Egypt with “full” support to ensure “ambitious” outcomes at COP27, including providing those most at risk of climate change with what they need.
Both past and upcoming conference presidents emphasized the need for action to close the gaps in mitigation, adaptation, and finance, as well as the importance of using the best available science.
Sharma and Shoukry lauded the “significant progress” made at COP26, but emphasized the need to do “much more,” particularly to implement commitments.
The statement added, “Through our partnership … we will work together to encourage all Parties to meet their commitments across mitigation, adaptation, loss and damage and finance; including in enhancing [Nationally Determined Contributions] NDCs and stepping up ambition therein, ensuring accelerated delivery of the $100bn and to make progress towards doubling of adaptation finance on 2019 levels.”
They agreed to share their experience and expertise with other key partners, including the UNFCCC secretariat and the chairs of subsidiary bodies.
Our commitment will ensure inclusive leadership and engagement that addresses every issue and engages all parties, civil society, and vulnerable groups, including youth and indigenous people, said the statement.
They also agreed “to continue close consultations on the technical and ministerial levels in the months ahead.”
