
Environment Minister Yasmine Fouad during a meeting with US Special Presidential Envoy for Climate John Kerry (Photo courtesy of the Egyptian Ministry of Environment)
Fouad and Kerry met earlier on Friday on the sidelines of the Sweden-hosted UN conference Stockholm+50, and discussed cooperation between Egypt and US in confronting climate change as part of Egypt's preparations for hosting COP27 in the Red Sea city of Sharm El-Sheikh in November.
The conference, the Egyptian minister said, will also discuss a host of visions related to addressing the effects of climate change in coordination with environmental partners from all sides, a statement by the Egyptian Ministry of Environment noted.
There should be integration between renewable energy, food and water projects, the minister said, adding that water desalination using solar energy, for example, is an opportunity to include the private sector.
Depending on crops that can adapt to the effects of climate change is essential for the green transformation in the face of a changing climate, she said.
Last month, Egypt launched the National Strategy for Climate Change 2050 with the aim of addressing the repercussions of climate change in a way that contributes to improving the quality of life for Egyptians, achieving sustainable development, sustainable economic growth and preserving natural resources and ecosystems.
The strategy is based on adaptation and mitigation, the minister told Kerry, noting that the country seeks to turn the strategy into an investment plan that provides an opportunity for engaging the private sector in the related projects as well as providing human needs.
Egypt has prepared a concept paper detailing 20 projects on energy and the relationship between water and food as well as mechanisms for providing the needed funding, the minister further noted.
Egypt has also prepared an international initiative focusing on the environment and tourism and financing the green transformation of private sector institutions "at a very small interest rate" for the tourism sector, she added.
Kerry welcomed Egypt's initiatives to address climate change, as well as its preparations for hosting COP27, expressing his support to Egypt in its efforts to render the upcoming conference successful.
He also stressed the importance of unifying the world in face of global challenges of climate change, the statement noted.
In February, Egypt’s Minister of Foreign Affairs Sameh Shoukry and Kerry launched a US-Egypt climate working group to advance bilateral and multilateral climate goals ahead of the upcoming UN Conference
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