Egyptian Government Says COP27 Top Priority

Prime Minister Mostafa Madbouly met on Sunday with COP26 President Alok Sharma in Cairo (Egyptian Government)
Prime Minister Mostafa Madbouly met on Sunday with COP26 President Alok Sharma in Cairo (Egyptian Government)
TT

Egyptian Government Says COP27 Top Priority

Prime Minister Mostafa Madbouly met on Sunday with COP26 President Alok Sharma in Cairo (Egyptian Government)
Prime Minister Mostafa Madbouly met on Sunday with COP26 President Alok Sharma in Cairo (Egyptian Government)

Egyptian Prime Minister Mostafa Madbouly held talks Sunday with Alok Sharma, President of the 26th session of the Climate Summit, which was held in Glasgow, UK last year, to discuss ways of cooperation, a statement by his office said.

The Egyptian government has increased preparations for the COP27 Climate Summit, which it will host in Sharm el-Sheikh at the end of 2022.

Madbouly underlined the importance of Egyptian-British relations and ongoing cooperation between the two countries, especially in climate change.

“Egypt would build on what was achieved in Glasgow and turn words into action, especially with regards to lowering emissions and providing necessary funding to help developing nations cope up with climate changes,” Madbouly said.

He pointed out that an expanded session of discussion was held in Sharm el-Sheikh last week as part of the World Youth Forum to discuss ways of fighting climate change. The PM had pledged that his country would increase the use of renewable energy by 300 percent.

Madbouly said COP27 is a chance to push for the demands of African nations and set timetables to meet national obligations in lowering harmful emissions.

He then underlined the importance of providing necessary funding to these nations to be able to address the negative repercussions of climate change.

For his part, Sharma thanked Egypt for continued cooperation with the UK during COP26 conference, expressing readiness to share necessary expertise and offer all needed support to render the COP27 conference a success.



US Says Committed to 'Diplomatic Resolution' in Lebanon

FILE - Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin speaks in Greenwich, London, Sept. 26, 2024. (AP Photo/Kin Cheung, Pool, File)
FILE - Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin speaks in Greenwich, London, Sept. 26, 2024. (AP Photo/Kin Cheung, Pool, File)
TT

US Says Committed to 'Diplomatic Resolution' in Lebanon

FILE - Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin speaks in Greenwich, London, Sept. 26, 2024. (AP Photo/Kin Cheung, Pool, File)
FILE - Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin speaks in Greenwich, London, Sept. 26, 2024. (AP Photo/Kin Cheung, Pool, File)

Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin stressed that the United States was dedicated to a diplomatic resolution in Lebanon and urged Israel to improve "dire" conditions in Gaza, in a call Saturday with his Israeli counterpart.

Austin "reiterated US commitment to a diplomatic resolution in Lebanon that allows Israeli and Lebanese civilians to return safely to their homes on both sides of the border" in his call with Israel Katz, according to a Pentagon spokesperson.

Austin also "urged the Government of Israel to continue to take steps to improve the dire humanitarian conditions in Gaza and emphasized the US commitment to securing the release of all hostages, including US citizens."

Lebanon said Saturday that an Israeli air strike in the heart of Beirut that brought down a residential building and jolted residents across the city killed at least 11 people.

Israel stepped up its campaign against the Hezbollah militant group in late September, targeting its strongholds in Lebanon.

Lebanon's health ministry says at least 3,645 people have been killed since October 2023, when Hezbollah began trading fire with Israel in solidarity with its Palestinian ally Hamas.

The United Nations and others have repeatedly decried humanitarian conditions, particularly in northern Gaza, where Israel said Friday it had killed two commanders involved in Hamas's October 7, 2023 attack.

In the call with Katz, Austin also discussed ongoing Israeli operations and reaffirmed Washington's "ironclad commitment to Israel's security," the Pentagon said.