“Africa is obliged with its financial means and scant level of support to spend around 2-3 percent per annum to adapt to these [climate change] impacts, a disproportionate responsibility that cannot be described as anything other than climate injustice,” he said in his speech, referring to how despite Africa’s low contribution to greenhouse gas emission, it remains the most vulnerable continent and is required to spend huge financial resources to adapt to climate change impacts.

Shoukry encouraged African voices including civil society, youth, women, farmers, workers, academia and the thriving private sector to call for equitable climate action.

Implementation should be guided by the principle of Common but Differentiated Responsibilities and Respective Capabilities (CBDR-RC) of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) that acknowledges the different capabilities and differing responsibilities of individual countries in addressing climate change, he added.

Aside from participating in ACW, Shoukry met on Monday with a number of senior Gabonese officials including President Ali Bongo Ondimba and Foreign Minister Michael Moussa Adamo in Libreville.

According to the Egyptian foreign ministry, Shoukry presented to Ondimba an official invitation from President Abdel-Fattah El-Sisi to participate in the World Leaders summit on 7 and 8 November in Sharm El-Sheikh during the COP27 events.

During the meeting, Shoukry reviewed the latest preparations for COP27 with Ondimba and the Egyptian vision for the summit’s agenda, adding that Egypt’s presidency will express Africa’s aspirations and its priorities concerning climate change.

The Egyptian foreign minister and the Gabonese president also discussed ways to boost bilateral relations between Egypt and Gabon, lauding the current progress of relations. They also expressed their aspiration to increase economic and commercial relations between the two countries, emphasising the importance of the current preparations to launch the African Free Zone.

They exchanged views about regional and international issues of common interest.

Shoukry also met his Gabonese counterpart Michael Moussa Adamo where they discussed and exchanged views about latest regional and international issues.

In addition, Shoukry participated in a ministerial roundtable held by Gabonese Minister of Water, Forests, the sea and Environment Lee White along with other African ministers of climate and environment.

According to the Egyptian foreign ministry, the roundtable reviewed the development in climate work since COP26 in Glasgow and the preparation for the upcoming COP27.

Shoukry also reviewed the vision of the Egyptian COP27 presidency on all climate issues especially adaption and mitigation of its repercussions, addressing losses and damages and mobilising financial resources for adaption.

Shoukry expressed his aspiration that this event would contribute to crystalising a unified African position during COP27 with the aim of making it successful and enhancing climate action on all levels.

Shoukry is participating the ACW 2022 that is being held from 29 August till 2 September.

According to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) website, ACW is a crucial step on the road to COP27 that Egypt will host in November in Sharm El-Sheikh.