Addressing attendees, President Al-Sisi said Egypt has taken serious steps to implement a sustainable development plan and aims to make 50 per cent of government-funded projects green by 2025, and 100 per cent by 2030. He also noted that renewable energy sources currently produce 20 per cent of Egypt’s energy, a figure that will rise to 42 per cent by 2035.

Al-Sisi also urged industrialised countries to meet their commitments under the 2015 Paris Climate Change Agreement, warning of the devastating economic and social consequences of climate change on poorer countries should they fail to do so.

On the sidelines of the two-day summit, Al-Sisi met with British Prime Minister Boris Johnson, Libyan Prime Minister Abdul-Hamid Dbeibah, Armenian President Armen Sarkissian, Qatari Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani, and German Chancellor Angela Merkel.

Next year’s climate summit is due to be hosted by an African country, and Egypt is a frontrunner among nominees. (see p.8)

*A version of this article appears in print in the 4 November, 2021 edition of Al-Ahram Weekly