Egypt plays a strong role in the negotiations and we hope to reach a fair agreement
Dr. Yasmine Fouad, the Egyptian Minister of the Environment, said that Egypt plays a significant role in the current negotiations of the 25th United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP25), held in Spain from (2- 13 December 2019).
She added in her interview with " SEE" that Egypt also calls on the developed countries to adhere to what was agreed in the Paris Agreement- to build capacity, transfer technology and provide the necessary financing to developing countries to deal with the issue of climate change.
Fouad pointed out that Egypt has a strong presence in the current twenty-fifth climate conference through its presidency of the African Group, and its presence Within the Arab Group, in addition to chairing the 14th Biological Diversity Conference from 2018 to 2020.
Fouad stressed the importance of these negotiations in the consensus between developed and developing countries to make more efforts to address climate change.
"Participation in this conference is a continuation of the role of Egypt and our efforts to advance the adaptation file among the most important topics that will be discussed in the sessions, especially after our success with England in the last climate summit last September in mobilizing more than 110 countries for the political declaration as well as additional sources of funding for adaptation through development partners."
The Minister indicated that Egypt is always ready to commit to a spirit of cooperation and goodwill with the various parties, to reach a fair and balanced agreement that guarantees all the rights of developing countries in economic development and poverty eradication and developing tracks for future generations.
She pointed out that Egypt is playing with the Arab group a big role in supporting the preparation of climate financing strategy, due to the fact that these countries get the least funding for them in dealing with the climate; Egypt is also trying to coordinate with like-minded countries such as Saudi Arabia, India, and China while dealing with the issue of climate change.
Fouad pointed out that an Egyptian delegation has been formed representing the ministries of Foreign Affairs, Industry, Agriculture and Irrigation and those concerned with climate change to participate effectively in this conference.
The minister said that the negotiations and meetings in this conference focus on finding quick solutions to limit the rise in the average global temperature by no more than 2 degrees Celsius until the year 2100 and to confront the effects of increasing climate changes that threaten the planet and the peoples of the world.
Fouad also added that she met Antonio Guterres, the Secretary-General of the United Nations, to discuss the progress of the negotiation process, reach consensus and balance in these negotiations, as happened last year when Egypt headed the financing group with Germany.
the minister expressed the concerns of the African Group, especially with regard to long-term financing under the Convention and other means of implementation such as technology and capacity building.
During the meeting, the minister stressed that the difficulty of reaching an agreement in Article 6 of the agreement on markets will constitute an obstacle to the financing of adaptation projects in developing countries, including Africa.
She added: "The global goal of adaptation is a priority at this stage to start implementing the Paris Agreement in 2020 with all its components adaptation and mitigation."
On his part, the Secretary-General of the United Nations expressed his conviction of the importance of adaptation and asked the minister to intervene to bridge the gap between developed and developing countries on some of the sticking points in the negotiations.
Fouad explained that during her speech in one of the conference sessions, she focused on the importance of empowering Egyptian women and their role in Egyptian society, pointing out that for the first time in the history of Egypt, there are 8 women ministers in the Egyptian government, in addition to obtaining about 25% of women in Parliament.
The minister congratulated the Chilean country on the presidency of the 25th Climate Conference and Egypt's support for it. She also thanked Spain for the efforts made in organizing the conference, saying: "We hope to reach results that are in the interests of all countries."
Also, she stressed Egypt's message, with the support of all parties, at a time when the entire world suffers from the damages of climate change, which have a greater impact on the countries of the African continent, despite being the least contributing to increased emissions.
She said that raising the ambition of climate action requires raising capacity building, technology transfer, and adaptation, with developed countries abiding by their pledges in the pre-2020 stage, and providing the necessary funding-about 100 billion dollars annually- to help developing countries deal with the climate.
Finally, she said: "Egypt has come out extensively and effectively in all negotiating issues, and we hope to exit now from the 25th Climate Conference with more positive results in this conference, and we look forward to working with all parties for the success of the negotiations."
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