UfC Model held in WYF 2019 having climate change as theme

CAIRO - 15 December 2019: The “Union for the Mediterranean” Model was held on Sunday within the agenda of the WFY 2019, and was inaugurated by UfM Secretary General Nasser Kamel.

The delegates in the model represented Egypt, Belgium, Czech Republic, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Estonia, France, Ireland, the Arab League, Lithuania, Lebanon, Malta, Poland, and Monaco. The session was also attended by a large number of experts in international relations and sustainable development as well as youth participants.

Kamel displayed the role of UfM in achieving sustainable development for Mediterranean states by operating in the realms of climate change and recycling of plastic waste among others. Nasser pointed out that the organization also works on reinforcing economic relations between member states. At present, the intra-Mediterranean trade stands at nine percent of the Mediterranean states’ trade.

UfC delegate affirmed that the organization adopts several policies meant to mitigate the negative impact of climate change by 2050. In the same context, Belgium's delegate underlined that global warming has caused the loss of around 2 million feddans of arable lands, which threatens food security.

Egypt’s delegate asserted that Mediterranean states are the most vulnerable to climate change, calling upon the international community to reduce carbon emissions. The delegate added that Egypt has always been among the first states to endorse international agreements on climate change such as Kyoto Protocol and Paris Agreement, and that it had fulfilled its commitments.

Opening speeches were delivered by Bosnia, Estonia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Estonia, France, Arab League, Ireland, Lithuania, Lebanon, Malta, Poland, Monaco, Portugal, Romania, Morocco, Slovakia, Spain, Palestine, Sweden, United Kingdom, and Tunisia.

The recommendations revolved around the necessity to concert efforts in the face of climate change, raise awareness on the matter, take measures to reduce carbon emissions, and sign agreements that serve the cause.