Egyptian President Abdel-Fattah El-Sisi announced on Monday that Egypt has joined the Metz Charter on Biodiversity, which the country believes plays an important role in preserving biological diversity.

The charter is in line with the Egyptian initiative launched during the 14th Biological Diversity Conference in Sharm El-Sheikh in November, the Egyptian president said while addressing a G7 summit's special session on climate, biological diversity and oceans on Monday morning.

The initiative aims at promoting a coherent implementation of the three Rio conventions on climate, desertification and biological diversity.

President El-Sisi said during the session that environment-related issues are of great importance as they constitute an integral part of any sustainable development mechanism.

He added that climate change poses a serious threat to all human beings, and called for putting into effect the necessary obligations to mitigate the effect of climate change.

Unfortunately, Africa is the most affected by climate change given the size of its greenhouse emissions, the president said.

He called for striking a balance between efforts to lower emissions and respecting national sovereignty.

He also urged for providing necessary funds and technology to help developing nations face the impact of climate change.

Egypt is chairing the African Union for 2019.

https://english.ahram.org.eg/News/344474.aspx