Sisi announces Egyptian-US partnership to launch initiative to back adaptation efforts in Africa at COP27

CAIRO - 18 June 2022: President Abdel-Fattah El-Sisi has announced a partnership with the US that would lead to the launch of a new initiative of an effective and tangible impact to support climate adaptation efforts in Africa during the UN Climate Change Conference (COP27) in Sharm El-Sheikh in November.

Under the initiative, a number of events will be organized on climate adaptation in the African continent throughout the year, Sisi explained in remarks via video conference on Friday in the Major Economies Forum on Energy and Climate Change summit held under the auspices of US President Joe Biden.

President Sisi participated in the forum as the host and president of COP27.

The US established the Major Economies Forum on Energy and Climate Change in 2009 to support issues of climate change and mobilize the necessary international momentum.

During his speech, Sisi said Egypt has joined the Global Methane Pledge initiative through which it will seek to boost its efforts regarding reducing methane emissions from the petroleum and natural gas sectors.

Launched last year at COP26, the Global Methane Pledge is led by the US and European Union with the aim of catalyzing action to reduce methane emissions. Countries participating in the pledge commit to cooperate on reducing methane emissions by at least 30 percent below 2020 levels by 2030.

Sisi announced that Egypt will work on reducing methane emissions based on the expertise and funding provided by the initiative and in cooperation with international partners in this regard.

The president stressed the commitment of Egypt, as president of COP27, to support and enhance efforts to face climate change, adapt to its negative effects and build on the international momentum.

“Egypt is fully aware of the magnitude of the responsibility entrusted to it as the president of the conference. It is also aware that people from different corners of the world are looking forward to tangible results that contribute to creating real change on the ground that will move us from the phase of negotiating texts and declaring pledges to actual implementation on the ground at all levels to reach the goals of the Paris Agreement, with the prime goal of 1.5 degree Celsius,” the president added.

In this regard, Sisi affirmed Egypt’s commitment to continue its utmost efforts to urge all parties to raise climate action ambitions by updating their nationally determined contributions for the implementation of the Paris Agreement as well as supporting and strengthening their long-term plans and strategies to reduce emissions and address the negative impacts of climate change.

“Egypt also works in partnership with everyone to support and strengthen existing initiatives to confront climate change, follow- up on the implementation of their outcomes, and launch new ambitious initiatives to complement and support the government climate action,” Sisi stated.