CAIRO – 7 September 2022: Foreign Minister Sameh Shoukry held a meeting Wednesday with US Special Presidential Envoy for Climate John Kerry.
They discussed means of promoting coordination between Egypt and the US in the field of climate change.
The meeting was held on the sidelines of their participation in the second edition of Egypt International Cooperation forum (Egypt-ICF), currently held in the New Administrative Capital, Spokesman for the Foreign Ministry Ahmed Abu Zeid said.
The two sides lauded the level of cooperation between Egypt and the US in the field of climate change and exchanged viewpoints on issues of mutual concern, topped by adaption to climate change and mitigation of its negative impacts.
They also probed preparations for the COP27 climate conference, which will be held in Sharm El Sheikh in November.
US Special Presidential Envoy for Climate John Kerry asserted on Wednesday that the world is facing many challenges with regard to climate action.
Twenty states are responsible for 80 percent of greenhouse gas emissions, while 48 states in the African desert are collectively responsible for 0.5 percent, he said, adding that there must be a solution to these problems.
He made the remarks while addressing the second Egypt - International Cooperation Forum (Egypt - ICF) in the New Administrative Capital (NAC) which was attended by President Abdel Fattah El Sisi.
"I know Egypt is often referred to as “Mother of the World,” the place that established much of our early civilization. Now, as we approach COP27 in Sharm el-Sheikh, you have a chance to be the nation that helps rescue civilization and to protect it for many generations to come," Kerry said.
"And, in terms of adaptation, we are seeing impacts in every country in the world. China is in the middle of the worst drought on record — the Yangtze River, the longest in Asia, is at its lowest level in history," he said.
"Europe is in the middle of its worst drought in 500 years — you can now walk across the Rhine River," he added
Kerry said "In the U.S. alone this year there have been nine — nine! — climate impacts that cost more than $1 billion."
"It is rare in public life to be able to make decisions that impact not just our own nations, but the fate of the planet for generations to come. Fortunately, that is nothing new for Egypt since you began our history as a civilization thousands of years ago. Today, we have a chance to build on that legacy, and make a new one of our own," he said.
Kerry said "President Biden has made addressing the climate crisis a top priority. He rejoined the Paris Agreement on Day One and set an ambitious NDC target. He passed a $1.2 billion Infrastructure Bill. And this summer, he signed the Inflation Reduction Act, the most important climate legislation in United States history."
"We need to work with governments and the private sector to mobilize trillions of dollars to accelerate the net-zero transition as well as to advance climate resilience. It is going to take all of us, and that is why I am happy to be here in Egypt today, as you exercise your global leadership to bring together investors, multilateral development banks, philanthropists, and government to take bold action," he added.
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