Egypt to chair G-77/China as of 2018 - environment minister

CAIRO – 17 November 2017: Egypt will chair the Group of 77 and China (G-77/China) as of January 2018, Environment Minister Khaled Fahmy said on Friday, pointing to the key role that Cairo will play in leading this group.

Cairo will also host the Conference of the Parties to the Convention on Biological Diversity, which is considered part and parcel of the Paris Agreement on climate change, Fahmy said in a statement by the ministry.

Fahmy also hailed the support provided by Arab states for Cairo's efforts within the Green Climate Fund.

Fahmy, along with Irrigation Minister Mohamed Abdel Aati, is participating in an Arab ministerial meeting on the sidelines of the high-level 23rd Conference of the Parties (COP23), currently in session in the German city of Bonn.

Delivering a speech at the meeting, Saudi Energy Minister Khalid al Falih called for strengthening coordination withing the (G-77/China) led by Egypt as of January 2018, which in turn could help achieve the interests of the Arab group in bringing about the sustainable development and ensuring food, water and energy security, in addition to combating poverty.

At the end of the meeting, Arab ministers agreed on continuing coordination and exerting further efforts to maintain Arab interests during the upcoming sessions of the Conference of the Parties (COP).