Egypt's FM Shoukry: Petersberg Climate Dialogue 'turning point' in facing climate change

CAIRO - 18 July 2022: Egypt's Foreign Minister Sameh Shoukry said Monday that 13th Petersberg Climate Dialogue (PCD13) constitutes a turning point in facing climate change.

In his word during the dialogue, currently in session in Berlin, Shoukry lauded all efforts made to help countries in facing climate change and building bridges of confidence, in cooperation with the United Nations in this context.

Shoukry said that he is seeking to make the 27th session of the Conference of the Parties (COP 27) to the UNFCCC, set for the Red Sea resort of Sharm El-Sheikh from November 7 to 18, on top of the priorities at the international level, particularly in regard to helping developing countries in combating this vital and sensitive issue.

The primary task lies in supporting all genuine efforts and main partners and gathering them in one place to discuss means of resolving this problem, Shoukry said.

He further elaborated that he felt supportive and encouraging efforts in many regional forums to back this issue.

Shoukry stressed the need for all countries participating in the PCD13 to seek to bridge the gap related to the issue of climate change.

He also underlined the importance of mobilizing efforts to resolve this matter, particularly as this issue will be raised in the meeting between President Abdel Fattah El Sisi and German Chancellor Olaf Scholz.

He also hoped that today's discussions will reach an agreement that will result in finding a solution to the climate change crisis, calling on all participants to seize all available opportunities to discuss all topics related to the climate change to set the stage for the COP27.

Shoukry also thanked German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock for her active participation in the success of the Petersburg Climate Dialogue, stressing that her cooperation had a significant impact on the success of the dialogue.

Egypt’s President Abdel Fattah al Sisi said that Egypt is hosting the Climate Summit amid delicate circumstances due to the energy and climate crises and the consequences of the war in Ukraine.

He added during his speech at the Petersburg Climate Dialogue that the priority in the coming period is to implement the provisions of Paris climate agreement.

“Petersburg Dialogue has become one of the important stations for coordination and consultation between countries to face consequences of climate change” Sisi said, adding that it's a must to reach a 'clear vision to support developing countries in facing climate change'.

President Sisi said it is necessary to address climate change issue through determination and joint efforts.

He thanked Germany for hosting PCD13 and said the event stressed the country's commitment to supporting COP27.