UNDP Resident Representative in Egypt Alessandro Fracassetti along with European ambassadors in Egypt after signing the $6.2 million project to support Egypt’s hosting of COP27. courtesy of the European Union in Egypt.
The project, the UN statement said, will bring together partners from the public and private sectors, civil society, and academia to strengthen climate action in support of Egypt’s COP27 Presidency Team.
The signing of the project comes nearly 40 days before Egypt – on behalf of Africa – hosts COP27 in Sharm El-Sheikh from 7 to 18 November.
The project will support the COP27 presidency in its efforts to ensure the implementation of the Paris Agreement through initiatives in several priority areas, including renewable energy, climate change adaptation, and climate security, the UN said.
Technical expertise and knowledge will be provided through the project to assist Egypt in delivering on its commitments as the host of this year’s conference, the statement read.
This will include expert support for consultations on regional and thematic groupings for inclusive negotiations, the advancement of multidisciplinary initiatives for climate action, and the showcasing of best practices from Africa and other regions.
“Today's signing ceremony is a real manifestation of commitment towards the success of COP27, which aims to pave the way for a new era of implementation and mobilise available resources to combat climate change and ensure a just transition,” Ambassador Ayman Tharwat, Deputy Director for the Department of Environment, Climate and Sustainable Development, said on behalf of the COP27 Presidency.
Ambassador Christian Berger, the head of EU Delegation to Egypt, said that "the agreements signed today are a tangible expression of the European Union's support for Egypt in making COP27 a success.”
“Together with our Egyptian partners,” Berger said, “we are committed to lead global action to fight climate change. COP27 will be an important milestone in advancing our common climate agenda.”
UNDP Resident Representative in Egypt Alessandro Fracassetti highlighted the urgency regarding climate action by saying: “With just 40 days to go till COP27, this is a proud moment for UNDP as we join our valued partners and the Government of Egypt in supporting the country’s presidency of this important conference.”
“We recognise the importance of climate change: it is real, urgent, and affecting us all,” Fracassetti said, adding that the UNDP is “committed to supporting the COP27 Presidency Team in reaching ambitious but realistic and attainable goals.”
Ambassador of Denmark to Egypt Svend Olling said that Denmark is proud to support the Government of Egypt’s COP presidency and furthering the precedent Cairo is setting in the region around climate issues.
“Denmark has been committed to walking the talk on fighting climate change; from pushing for ambitious emission-reduction targets to ensuring more climate financing and coming together with our partners on climate action,” the Danish ambassador said.
“Our partnership with Egypt is a long-standing example, and so we are glad to witness COP27 in Egypt working to accelerate climate action, ensuring inclusive, sustainable and ambitious results,” Olling said.
Ambassador of Switzerland to Egypt Yvonne Baumann said that Switzerland is pleased to contribute to Egypt’s Climate Change Strategy through its Cooperation Programme. It does so mainly by engaging on green finance, sustainable infrastructure and capacity building for green growth, Baumann said.
“This is complemented by the current partnership with UNDP and the government of Egypt, supporting the preparation of COP27. We are excited to be part of it,” Baumann said during the ceremony.
As an African-based and African-led foundation, representative of the ACF Faten Aggad said that the foundation could not miss the opportunity of joining hands with the COP27 Presidency on this important event on the continent.
“Climate change is a reality for the African continent, and we are committed to playing our role as philanthropy by supporting African actors to help advance solutions that are fit-for-purpose and relevant to our context," Aggad said.
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