Egypt’s Sharm El-Sheikh to Host COP27 in November 2022

 Egypt's President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi speaks during the UN Climate Change Conference (COP26) in Glasgow, Scotland, Britain, November 1, 2021.
Egypt's President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi speaks during the UN Climate Change Conference (COP26) in Glasgow, Scotland, Britain, November 1, 2021.
TT

Egypt’s Sharm El-Sheikh to Host COP27 in November 2022

 Egypt's President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi speaks during the UN Climate Change Conference (COP26) in Glasgow, Scotland, Britain, November 1, 2021.
Egypt's President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi speaks during the UN Climate Change Conference (COP26) in Glasgow, Scotland, Britain, November 1, 2021.

Egypt will host the COP27 United Nations Climate Change Conference in 2022 in the Red Sea resort of Sharm El-Sheikh in November.

World leaders and heads of state and governments are expected to attend the summit.

Representing the African continent, Egypt’s hosting of the event will boost its status and attain the government’s efforts to enhance its position as a hub for major international conferences.

Public sector and other civil society institutions in Egypt are preparing for the event and launched the “National Climate Change Strategy-2050.”

The government is also planning to cooperate with various international companies to enhance its contribution to green energy plans.

Cairo organized a special session on climate change during the fourth edition of the World Youth Forum that was concluded on Thursday.

During the session, Prime Minister Mostafa Madbouly announced Egypt's plans to double its use of renewable energy by 30%.

Sharm El-Sheikh in South Sinai hosted all editions of the World Youth Forum. Also, the city hosted in November 2021 the 21st session of the Common Market for Eastern and Southern African Countries (COMESA).

European and Arab leaders also held their first summit in February 2019 in Sharm El-Sheikh where kings, heads of state and governments and ministers from 50 different countries participated.



Islamabad: 50,000 Pakistanis Are Missing in Iraq

Every year, millions of Shiites flock to religious sites in Iraq’s Najaf and Karbala. (EPA)
Every year, millions of Shiites flock to religious sites in Iraq’s Najaf and Karbala. (EPA)
TT

Islamabad: 50,000 Pakistanis Are Missing in Iraq

Every year, millions of Shiites flock to religious sites in Iraq’s Najaf and Karbala. (EPA)
Every year, millions of Shiites flock to religious sites in Iraq’s Najaf and Karbala. (EPA)

Pakistan’s Minister of Religious Affairs and Interfaith Harmony Chaudhry Salik Hussain sparked controversy when he revealed that 50,000 Pakistanis have gone missing in Iraq over the years.

He urged the Baghdad government to immediately launch a probe into how the Pakistanis entered Iraq to visit religious sites during the month of Muharram, he was quoted as saying by Pakistan’s Ummat newspaper.

Islamabad is investigating how people have traveled outside Pakistan through illegal means, he remarked.

The permanent committee for religious affairs and interfaith harmony has since proposed new policies for trips to holy sites in foreign countries, including Iraq.

In Iraq, the minister’s comments drew mockery and condemnation on social media and sparked renewed debate over illegal workers in the country.

Politician Mishaan al-Juburi urged the government to make a statement over Hussain’s comments, warning that they may impact security and the labor force.

Hussain’s comments coincided with Iraqi police announcing the arrest of six Pakistanis in Baghdad on charges of theft.

Previously, military intelligence also announced the arrest of a nine-member Pakistani kidnapping and extortion gang in Baghdad. The gang had kidnapped foreigners for ransom.

Meanwhile, Labor Minister Ahmed al-Asadi expressed his concern and condemnation over the increasing number of illegal workers in Iraq.

He said his ministry will investigate the disappearance of the Pakistanis.

He confirmed that several tourists, including Pakistanis, have flocked to Iraq in recent days, and many have taken up employment without the necessary legal permits.

He warned that this phenomenon is negatively impacting the national economy.

The ministry will not be lenient in taking the necessary legal measures against the violators, he vowed.

Iraq welcomes all tourists, whether they are here on a religious visit or otherwise, but they must respect local laws and regulations, declared Asadi.

Every year, millions of Shiites flock to religious sites in Iraq’s Najaf and Karbala.