Water issues are intertwined with climate change: Egypt's FM

CAIRO – 9 May 2022: Minister of Foreign Affairs Sameh Shokry, said Sunday that water issues are intertwined with climate change, and that devising solutions to water scarcity must fall under the umbrella of coexistence efforts.

That was during the minister's meeting with Secretary-General of the World Meteorological Organization (WMO) Petteri Taalas to discuss cooperation, given that Shokry is the president-designate of COP 27, Egypt is hosting in Sharm El Sheikh on November 7-18.

يحدث الآن… وزير الخارجية #سامح_شكري، الرئيس المعين للدورة ٢٧ لمؤتمر أطراف اتفاقية الأمم المتحدة الإطارية لتغير المناخ، يستقبل البروفيسور "بيتيري تالاس" السكرتير العام للمنظمة العالمية للأرصاد الجوية. pic.twitter.com/pXG8Z0qB1b

— Egypt MFA Spokesperson (@MfaEgypt) May 8, 2022

Minister Shokry had received in April German Special Envoy to International Climate Action Jennifer Morgan.

The minister said he looks forward to a continuous German role in the reinforcement of climate action bilaterally and multilaterally in the coming period. That is in light of holding COP 27 in Sharm El Sheikh next November and that will include high-profile meetings and activities.

Minister Shokry stipulated his eagerness, as president-designate of COP 27, for consulting with all stakeholders and getting acquainted with their visions on climate matters.

The minister clarified that such moves are aimed at bolstering mutual cooperation and confidence in a way that enable producing outcomes that take into consideration the priorities of all parties involved.

Earlier in April, the minister received Executive Vice-president of the European Union Commission for the Green Deal Frans Timmermans, within a series of meetings with parties involved in climate change work, as part of Egypt's preparations for the summit.