Egypt is keen to enable youth and civil society to play an effective role within the framework of international efforts to combat climate change, added Shoukry, who is also the COP27 president designate.

The foreign minister made his statement during his participation in the Environmental Diplomacy and Climate Change session held on the second day of the Munich Security Conference (18-20 February).

Shoukry arrived on Friday in the German city to participate in the conference which brings together a host of senior officials, ministers, heads of international organisations, and leaders to discuss the international status quo and the critical challenges and crises on the global front.

He added that addressing climate change is not the sole responsibility of governments, noting that the issue needs the efforts of civil society and private sectors.

Civil society represents the majority of those most affected by climate change, while the private sector plays a vital part given its role in providing the necessary funding and modern technology to confront the global phenomenon, he stressed.

Egypt's top diplomat stressed the need to promote cooperation between countries to combat the repercussions of climate change, as has been the case with the coronavirus pandemic.

"One of the most prominent lessons learned from the pandemic is the importance of international cooperation," he said, adding that climate change is also a global crisis with unprecedented repercussions.

Shoukry pointed out that the issue necessitates multilateral environmental diplomacy, saying that "political balances should not reflect on climate change negotiations."