Leaders of developing countries display climate change struggles at COP 27

CAIRO – 7 November 2022: The chiefs of state of a number of developing countries presented their nations' struggle with climate change on Monday at COP 27 in Sharm El Sheikh.  

King Abdullah of Jordan stated that Dead Sea levels are getting lower by three feet per annum because of climate change, adding that the phenomenon is taking its toll on Jordan River, Tigris, and Euphrates.

King Abdullah also lamented that that protectorates and archeological sites in Jordan are in peril because of climate change, calling for concerting international efforts to reverse the damage.  

Kenya President William Rutto said that aid had to be disbursed to around four million citizens this year because of climate change. Rutto elaborated that floods ruined schools, houses, hotels and businesses.

The Kenyan president further added that his country spent $3 million on feeding species at forests and inhibiting fires. He pointed out that Kenya suffers from floods and pollution, showcasing that five million in his country need humanitarian aid.

On the bright side, President Rutto highlighted that Kenya has the potential to produce 100,000 of clean energy such as solar, wind and green hydrogen.

King of Tonga said that the displacement of citizens in his country had become common because of rising sea levels.

Iraq President Abdul Latif Rashid said that violence and terrorism have curtailed climate adaptation plans in his country. Similarly, the representative of Yemen called for the preservation of the environment and natural protectorates in his war-torn country.

Countries Trying to Achieve Adaptation

Representative of DR Congo warned of deforestation, saying his country is among the world’s least in the practice, and that on the contrary, forestation is carried out.

Gabon President Ali Bongo Ondimba said his country aims to capture 100 million tons of carbon from the air annually, demanding funding to the project.

Slovakia President Suzana Caputova stated that her country would shut down all coal-powered plants next year, in spite of the energy crisis. She added that although green transition is not cheap, the government in Slovakia is supporting the most vulnerable. For instance, it cultivated cashew trees for around 16,000 farmers.