FM Says Arab National Security Is 'Indivisible Whole'

Foreign Minister (FM) Sameh Shoukry affirmed that a number of Egyptian initiatives will be launched during the Conference of Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change "COP-27", which is set to be hosted in Sharm El-Sheikh during the period (6-18 November), related to food security, agriculture and green hydrogen, new and renewable energy and decent life in Africa. 

In an interview with the Emirates News Agency " WAM", Shoukry warned that any failure to deal with climate challenges would take the world to the point of no return, calling for cooperation among countries to produce results commensurate with the importance of the event.

On the challenges facing Arab countries and how to deal with them, FM said, "Arab national security is an indivisible whole, and all Arab countries work together to protect national security and protect their interests within the framework of international relations based on mutual respect and the promotion of interests among themselves and with international partners."

Moreover, Shoukry shed light on the upcoming Arab summit, which will be held in Algeria, underlining its special importance, as it comes after a long break caused by the Coronavirus pandemic. 

In this regard, Egypt's top diplomat expressed hope the Arab Summit 2022, will consolidate pan-Arab solidarity in facing the international challenges besetting the Arab world.

In addition, Shoukry affirmed the central significance of the Palestinian issue, describing it as  “a pivotal issue for the entire Arab world”, stressing the necessity of continuing to support the Palestinian people in their strife for achieving their aspirations and establishing their own state.

Concerning COP-27, Shoukry said: "This session is being held under complex geopolitical conditions, tension, and polarization, that we hope will not make it more difficult to tackle common global challenges, notably climate change."

Furthermore, he added that the numerous reports issued by scientific institutions stressed the need to maintain the increase in the global average temperature to well below 2°C above pre-industrial levels and pursue efforts to limit the temperature increase to 1.5°C above pre-industrial levels, noting that if we exceed this limit, negative consequences will become unavoidable, and it will be impossible for the world to go back to where we used to be.