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Sisi Says Seeks to Boost Egyptian-European Cooperation in War on Terrorism

President of the European Council Charles Michel and Egypt's President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi meeting at the Council's headquarters in Brussels (Egyptian Presidency)
President of the European Council Charles Michel and Egypt's President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi meeting at the Council's headquarters in Brussels (Egyptian Presidency)
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Sisi Says Seeks to Boost Egyptian-European Cooperation in War on Terrorism

President of the European Council Charles Michel and Egypt's President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi meeting at the Council's headquarters in Brussels (Egyptian Presidency)
President of the European Council Charles Michel and Egypt's President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi meeting at the Council's headquarters in Brussels (Egyptian Presidency)

Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi affirmed that Egypt looks forward to boosting cooperation with the European Union in the fight against terrorism and extremism based on a comprehensive approach.

Sisi headed to Brussels to participate in the sixth European Union-African Union Summit, held on Feb 17 and 18, under the theme "Africa and Europe: Two Continents with a Shared Vision until 2030."

On the summit's sidelines, Sisi met with President of the European Council Charles Michel at the Council's headquarters in Brussels.

Presidential spokesman Ambassador Bassam Rady said that Michel welcomed the first historic visit of the President.

He lauded the outstanding relations between the EU and Egypt, stressing the EU's interest to further enhance these relations across various levels, particularly in light of Cairo's status as the link between the Arab and European worlds and its political leverage internationally and regionally.

The President of the European Council lauded Egypt's commitment to combating illegal migration, reiterating EU's appreciation for these efforts, mainly as Cairo is seen as a successful model in the region under the Sis's decisive and wise leadership.

Sisi emphasized that Egypt looks forward to strengthening cooperation with the EU in the fight against terrorism and extremism, in line with a comprehensive approach that addresses the significant root causes of terrorism and extremism.

Sisi also met King Philippe of Belgium at the Royal Palace in Brussels as part of his visit.

King Philippe welcomed the Egyptian President and praised the extended historical relations between the two friendly countries at the official and popular levels, stressing his country's keenness to develop them in various fields.

Later, Sisi received the CEO of John Cockerill, Jean-Luc Maurange, at the President's residence in Brussels.

John Cockerill is a Belgian group operating in the field of defense industries.

The President affirmed that Egypt takes pride in the extended and fruitful cooperation with Belgium on various levels.

In this regard, Sisi hoped to promote cooperation between the two friendly countries, especially in light of the company's distinguished production in defense industries which supports Egypt's capabilities in this area.

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Arab World

Half of Yemen’s Population Face Mounting Risks from Climate Change

Al-Garehi Al-Gharbi camp in the Abs district of north-west Yemen. (Norwegian Refugee Council)
Al-Garehi Al-Gharbi camp in the Abs district of north-west Yemen. (Norwegian Refugee Council)
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Half of Yemen’s Population Face Mounting Risks from Climate Change

Al-Garehi Al-Gharbi camp in the Abs district of north-west Yemen. (Norwegian Refugee Council)
Al-Garehi Al-Gharbi camp in the Abs district of north-west Yemen. (Norwegian Refugee Council)

Already suffering from a prolonged conflict as a result of the Houthi coup against the legitimate authority, Yemen is facing mounting risks brought on by climate change, the World Bank warned on Thursday.
Many populations are facing threats from climate change, such as extreme heat, drought, and floods, the WB said in its newly released Yemen Country Climate and Development Report (CCDR).
Stephane Guimbert, World Bank Country Director for Egypt, Yemen and Djibouti said that Yemen is facing an unprecedented convergence of crises — conflict, climate change, and poverty.
He called for immediate and decisive action on climate resilience, a matter of survival for millions of Yemenis.
“By investing in water security, climate-smart agriculture, and renewable energy, Yemen can safeguard human capital, build resilience and lay the foundations for a path to sustainable recovery,” he said.
The WB report said half of Yemenis are already exposed to at least one climate hazard — extreme heat, drought, or flooding — with compounding effects on food insecurity and poverty.
These risks, it showed, are expected to intensify without immediate action and Yemen’s annual GDP could decline by an average of 3.9% by 2040 under pessimistic climate scenarios, largely due to decreased agricultural productivity and infrastructure damage.
Navigating Challenges
Despite these challenges, the CCDR identifies strategic opportunities to strengthen resilience, improve food and water security, and unlock sustainable growth, the WB report noted.
For example, it said, targeted investments in water storage and groundwater management, coupled with adaptive agriculture techniques could lead to productivity gains of up to 13.5% in crop production under optimistic climate scenarios for the period of 2041 to 2050.
The report also spoke about risks to the fisheries sector, considered as a critical source of livelihood for many Yemenis.
Its projections indicate a potential decline of up to 23% in fish stocks due to rising sea temperatures and altered marine ecosystems.

The WB report also said that climate change exacerbates existing health challenges in Yemen, leading to increased healthcare costs and strain on already fragile health systems.
“It is projected that climate-related health issues could cost the country over $5 billion in excess health costs by 2050,” it noted.
“Addressing these challenges requires integrating climate resilience into public health planning, with a focus on vulnerable groups such as women and children.”
Concerning infrastructure, the report said urban areas and critical infrastructure are especially vulnerable, and without adaptation measures, economic shocks will disproportionately affect already fragile communities.
As for the private sector, it has a critical role to play in addressing Yemen’s pressing development challenges, said Khawaja Aftab Ahmed, IFC’s Regional Director for the Middle East.
“Harnessing its potential through innovative financing mechanisms and guarantee instruments and creating a conducive investment climate can help mobilize the climate-focused funding the country urgently needs to build a greener and more resilient future,” he said.
The WB report also said that Yemen also has immense potential for renewable energy, which could serve as a key component of its climate response and recovery.
It showed that harnessing renewable energy resources not only offers a pathway to reduce reliance on fossil fuels but also enables the creation of a more resilient power infrastructure.
“This will be essential in supporting vital services such as healthcare, water supply, and food distribution, particularly in conflict-affected areas,” it said.
Global Coordination
The World Bank highlighted the significant commitments and coordination from the international community to support Yemen in coping with climate shocks and building broader resilience.
It said securing sustainable peace will be required to unlock the financing and take the action needed to build long-term resilience to climate change.
The CCDR then underscored the importance of flexible, risk-informed decision-making to adapt climate actions to Yemen's uncertain political landscape.
Under a “Peace and Prosperity” scenario, it said, a higher level of adaptation can be implemented, yielding greater economic and social benefits.
Yemeni Minister of Water and Environment, Tawfiq Al-Sharjabi, stressed the importance of integrating climate action into development strategies and adapting to climate fluctuations.
The minister was speaking at a special session to discuss the WB report on the sidelines of the 29th Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP29) held in Baku, Azerbaijan.
He said the report represents a significant contribution for Yemen in addressing climate change and will facilitate access to various climate financing options amid the structural and technical fragility faced by institutions due to the war.
The report, Al-Sharjabi added, aligns closely with Yemen's urgent priorities, particularly in the areas of water and food security, enhancing livelihoods, and promoting area-based climate adaptation approaches.