Azhar Univ. Conf. on Climate Change Proves Egypt Seriousness in Preserving Environment

The third scientific conference for the environment and sustainable development, organized by Al Azhar University, kicked off on Saturday under the sponsorship of President Abdel Fattah El Sisi.

The conference offers an opportunity for probing the challenge of climate change and ways of facing it.

The three-day conference is attended by Al Azhar Grand Imam Ahmed Tayyeb, Awqaf Minister Mohamed Mokhtar Gomaa, and Egypt's Mufti Shawky Allam as well as Mohamed Abou El Enein, Deputy Speaker of the Egyptian Parliament.

During his speech, Dr. Mahmoud Siddik, Vice President of Al-Azhar University for Post-Graduate Studies, said that this conference proves the seriousness of the Egyptian state in dealing with the climate file and the great importance that the political leadership attaches to this issue.

He added that this also comes in light of Egypt’s 2030 vision to face the effects of climate change through creating an integrated and sustainable ecosystem that enhances flexibility and the ability to face natural hazards.

Among several topics, the conference will tackle the impact of pollution on climate and the negative effect of climate change on health, industry, water, and agriculture, in addition to the role of greenhouse gas emissions in upping pollution rates and global warming.

Siddik noted that the Earth is witnessing horrific dangers due to climate changes, indicating that this issue has become a crisis that affects humans, animals, plants, pointing out its negative impact extends to the economy, health institutions, and planning.

He stated that many world countries are endeavoring to find solutions to limit the destructive effects of climate change, confirming that preserving the environment and limiting the climate change crisis is basically a survival issue, and underestimating it would exacerbate poverty rates and hit economic growth.

Siddik concluded that Al-Azhar University has an applied model in preserving the environment through developing promising organic solar cells and using them to produce clean, environmentally friendly energy.

He added that the university also encouraged its students to take pioneering initiatives to serve and protect the environment and enhance its ability to develop the sustainability of its resources.