Environment minister discloses climate initiatives to be officially announced in COP 27 hosted by Egypt

CAIRO – 6 April 2022: Minister of Environment Yasmin Fouad received Tuesday World Bank Managing Director of Development Policy and Partnership Mari Pangestu and an accompanying delegation to discuss mechanisms of cooperation to back the agenda of COP 27 to be hosted by Egypt in Sharm El Sheikh next November.

On that front, the topics and initiatives to be discussed in the conference were presented by the minister, as well as the latest developments of the report prepared by the World Bank on climate and regional development in a number of countries, including Egypt.  

The initiatives are pertaining to water; agriculture; nutrition; relation between diets on one hand, and crops, health, modes of production and consumption on the other hand; management of coastal areas as an example of coexistence measures aimed at achieving sustainable life for local residents; blue economy; management of waste, particularly plastic; and, showcasing the value added derived from waste recycling in the form of green job opportunities, sustainable quality of life and formalization of the informal sector.

The minister added that Egypt will also display success stories of climate projects executed in various locations. Those include small and medium enterprises as well as mega ones.   

Fouad asserted that COP 27 will cover climate funding, dimensions of coexistence, priorities of developing countries, updated national contributions of states, goals, and experiences.

With regard to the cooperation between Egypt and the World Bank in the environment realm, Pangestu lauded existing collaboration to assess the impact of climate change, and prepare the Country Climate and Development Report (CCDR).

Such report will create a database, and designate the socio-economic benefits of creating job opportunities and combating poverty. It will also help articulating goals for the coming 10 years, the international official stipulated.

Pangestu simultaneously offered that the World Bank provides necessary technical support to Egypt in presenting success stories. She also asserted the salience of raising the awareness of the private sector in Africa and developing countries on climate issues.