Egypt s economist Mahmoud Mohieldin, executive director at the International Monetary Fund (IMF). File photo
Egypt is scheduled to host COP27 in November in the Red Sea city of Sharm El-Sheikh with ambitious plans to support efforts to reduce emissions and provide funding for developing countries to deal with climate change.
Mohieldin, 57, also UN special envoy on financing the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, will start his new duties immediately in accordance with the Marrakech Partnership for Global Climate Action (MPGCA), read a statement by the Egyptian Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Thursday.
Launched in November 2016 at COP22, the MPGCA seeks to support the implementation of the Paris Agreement on climate change and the 2030 Sustainable Development Goals under the leadership of high-level climate champions.
In January, Foreign Minister Sameh Shoukry said Egypt will focus on meeting the obligations of the Paris Agreement and explore how the private sector and NGOs can play a role in financing green investments during COP27.
Egypt has also vowed to work on achieving outcomes that reflect the international ambitions in the face of climate change by giving special importance to supporting developing countries, especially in Africa.
Climate finance has been debated at every COP meeting since developed countries failed to meet their promise to mobilise $100 billion in climate finance annually by 2020 to help developing nations with mitigation and adaptation efforts.
Mohieldin’s appointment as Egypt’s climate champion aims at enhancing the communication between the Egyptian presidency of COP27 and businesses, the private sector and international funding institutions working in the climate change-related fields, the ministry’s statement said.
In his new position, Mohieldin will be in charge of coordinating with Nigel Toppings, the UK's high-level champion for climate Action at COP26, and the UNFCCC secretariat to raise awareness of the climate change issue and the need to face it among non-governmental entities.
This includes international organisations, funding institutions, international companies and other entities engaged in the international climate work, the ministry said.
Mohieldin will also have the duty to mobilise international support from these entities in favour of global action to face climate action and implement the goals of Paris Agreement.
This should ensure contribution to the efforts exerted by Egypt as the president of COP27, the ministry affirmed.
Mohieldin will serve as Egypt’s climate champion at COP27 in addition to carrying out the duties of his current international posts, according to the ministry.
The veteran Egyptian economist formerly served as Egypt’s minister of investment and international cooperation from 2004 to 2010.
He also assumed several posts at international monetary and financial institutions, including as the World Bank Group's senior vice president for the 2030 Development Agenda.
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