Shoukry’s remarks came during two meetings with members of the Group of 77 and China, in addition to heads of geographical and political groups during the 56th session of the UN climate change subsidiary bodies taking place between 6 and 16 June at the World Convention Center in Bonn, Germany.

“Shoukry praised the role played by Group of 77 and China, of which Egypt is a member, in supporting the interests and concerns of developing countries in climate change negotiations and supporting Egypt’s efforts in COP27,” Egyptian foreign ministry spokesperson Ahmed Hafez said in a statement.

In the meeting with heads of the different geographic and political groups participating in the climate change negotiations, Shoukry was keen to listen to their visions, priorities, and concerns on various topics related to international climate action, the statement said. 

The meetings tackled the Egyptian’s presidency’s priorities for COP27, primarily the implementation of climate pledges and getting balanced recommendations that address various priority issues, especially emission reduction, adaptation to climate change, addressing losses and damages, and provision of climate finance.

Shoukry is scheduled to sign the agreement for Egypt to host COP27 during his visit.

Earlier on Wednesday, Shoukry met with the African Group of Negotiators on Climate Change, where he stated that Egypt is keen to prioritise African concerns on climate change at COP27.

Shoukry said that Africa is the continent most affected by the negative repercussions of climate change, despite contributing the least to emissions, and that African countries are facing difficulties in obtaining needed climate funding to deal with these repercussions.

Shoukry emphasised that the Egyptian presidency prioritises implementing climate pledges and turning them into reality at COP27.

On Tuesday, the top Egyptian diplomat discussed with the Executive Secretary of the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCC) Patricia Espinosa the contribution of the 56th session of the subsidiary bodies for implementation (SBI56) to the required and expected progress during the upcoming COP27 in Sharm El-Sheikh.

The meeting emphasised the importance of the SBI56 in terms of enhancing global climate action, especially providing scientific and technological advice as well as the effective implementation of climate pledges and related agreements, particularly the Paris Agreement on climate change.

Shoukry also met with the Climate Action Network (CAN), which is the largest group of civil society organisations working on climate change. The CAN includes over 1,300 environmental non-governmental organisations in over 130 countries.