UN Participates in Egypt’s International Cooperation Forum

Egypt’s ministers of International Cooperation and Electricity and Renewable Energy, Dr. Rania al-Mashat and Mohamed Shaker, review the preparations for Nowfi Program and the International Cooperation Forum (Ministry of International Cooperation)
Egypt’s ministers of International Cooperation and Electricity and Renewable Energy, Dr. Rania al-Mashat and Mohamed Shaker, review the preparations for Nowfi Program and the International Cooperation Forum (Ministry of International Cooperation)
TT

UN Participates in Egypt’s International Cooperation Forum

Egypt’s ministers of International Cooperation and Electricity and Renewable Energy, Dr. Rania al-Mashat and Mohamed Shaker, review the preparations for Nowfi Program and the International Cooperation Forum (Ministry of International Cooperation)
Egypt’s ministers of International Cooperation and Electricity and Renewable Energy, Dr. Rania al-Mashat and Mohamed Shaker, review the preparations for Nowfi Program and the International Cooperation Forum (Ministry of International Cooperation)

The United Nations Deputy Secretary-General, Amina Mohammed, will attend the second edition of the Egypt International Cooperation Forum, which is scheduled to be held on September 6 at the New Administrative Capital.

Amina will depart to Cairo on September 5 to attend the two-day event, which will be held as part of the preparations to host the COP27 United Nations Climate Change Conference 2022 at the Red Sea resort of Sharm El-Sheikh in November, Egypt’s official news agency MENA reported.

She will also meet with senior government officials involved in the COP27 process, the UN country team, as well as youth and civil society organizations, the UN spokesman’s office said.

According to the Ministry of International Cooperation, the event will be held under the patronage of President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi.

It is organized in cooperation with the ministries of foreign affairs and environment, as well as the UN Economic Commission for Africa.

The Ministry said in a statement on Saturday that the Forum’s objectives are in line with the upcoming climate summit’s main goal to implement commitments and the pledges in all sectors of the climate change agenda, whether it’s in adaptation, mitigation or finance, loss and damage.

The forum sets three main objectives, namely mobilizing resources and facilitating access to finance, financing the mitigation and adaptation agenda to climate change, and discussing national efforts and measures for Africa’s transformation into a Green Economy.

Minister of International Cooperation Dr. Rania al-Mashat held talks on Saturday with Minister of Electricity and Renewable Energy Mohamed Shaker.

Discussions touched on the projects included in the energy theme at the National Platform for Green Projects and Climate Action and the “Nowfi” program, as well as the steps taken so far in this regard.

The program is the link between food, water projects and energy, and aims to mobilize concessional development finance, technical support, and investments by the private sector for a package of priority green development projects within the framework of Egypt’s 2050 Comprehensive National Climate Strategy.

The two ministers discussed the continuous coordination with development partners, launching the program’s national platform with the participation of all multilateral and bilateral development partners, briefing them with the details of the projects, and engaging in discussions on cooperation proposals in each of the projects listed in the energy sector.

They underlined the importance of energy within Nowfi, in light of Cairo’s vision and goal to transform the country into a regional energy hub by implementing key development projects in the renewable energy sector.

Cairo also aims to expand the green hydrogen sector, implement legislative and structural reforms that attract foreign investment and soft development finances in this vital sector.

The efforts made since 2014 and the launching of the Sustainable Energy Strategy have contributed to attracting soft development finances and private sector investments and implementing pioneering projects such as the Benban Solar Power Plant and other projects.



German Foreign Ministry Backs Kurdish Dialogue with Damascus

German Ambassador Tobias Tunkel with the leadership of the Syrian Democratic Forces in Al-Hasakah, northeastern Syria. (SDF)
German Ambassador Tobias Tunkel with the leadership of the Syrian Democratic Forces in Al-Hasakah, northeastern Syria. (SDF)
TT

German Foreign Ministry Backs Kurdish Dialogue with Damascus

German Ambassador Tobias Tunkel with the leadership of the Syrian Democratic Forces in Al-Hasakah, northeastern Syria. (SDF)
German Ambassador Tobias Tunkel with the leadership of the Syrian Democratic Forces in Al-Hasakah, northeastern Syria. (SDF)

Director of the Middle East and North Africa Department at the German Foreign Ministry Tobias Tunkel said that protecting the rights and interests of Syrian Kurds can be best achieved through an internal dialogue with Damascus.

His statement followed a recent meeting between Tunkel and Mazloum Abdi, commander of the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), along with officials from the Kurdish Autonomous Administration in Al-Hasakah, northeastern Syria.

In a tweet on the X platform on Monday, Tunkel shared a photo of his meeting with Abdi. He indicated that they discussed pressing issues that require resolution through direct communication between the SDF leadership and Damascus’ military operations command.

The meeting is part of broader international efforts to stabilize the region, prevent a devastating war involving regional powers, and promote internal Syrian dialogue. The aim is to ensure the inclusion of all parties, social groups, and political forces to achieve security, stability, economic prosperity, and reconstruction.

Abdi stressed the need for all Syrians, regardless of their backgrounds, to have a role in governing their country.

He praised Germany’s support for the SDF, stating on his X account: “Germany’s support for the Syrian people in building their state on the principles of freedom, democracy, and equality, while ensuring the inclusion of all components in governance, is deeply welcomed and appreciated.”

He also commended Germany’s contribution to the international coalition’s operations against ISIS, stressing: “We highly value Germany’s role in supporting our forces in combating terrorism and extremism, which helps pave the way for a brighter future for all Syrians.”

This visit marks the second official engagement by a Western diplomat this week, following the visit of former US Ambassador Robert Ford and his meeting with SDF leaders.

Discussions are focused on achieving a political resolution and determining the future of the SDF, which is a coalition of Arab and Kurdish forces, primarily the Kurdish People’s Protection Units (YPG). The YPG receives military and logistical support from a US-led international coalition and is considered a vital ally in the fight against ISIS by Washington, though Türkiye regards it as a national security threat.

SDF head of Public Relations Sihanouk Dibo described the recent visits by US, German, and French delegations as encouraging. Speaking to Asharq Al-Awsat, he emphasized that the Autonomous Administration values any initiative that supports resolving the Kurdish issue in Syria, which he views as fundamental to addressing regional crises and ensuring stability.

“Germany’s supportive role complements Washington’s exceptional efforts, including the success of General Mazloum Abdi’s initiative and his meeting with (former President of the Kurdistan Region) President Masoud Barzani. This is a significant and positive step,” he added.

Dibo also highlighted the importance of dialogue between Damascus and the SDF leadership to restore Syrian sovereignty and resolve disputes. He called for “the formation of specialized and technical committees to address all issues and differences.”

In a related development, the Autonomous Administration called on the Syrian people, the international community, and humanitarian organizations to take action to curb Turkish aggression and stop attacks by its affiliated factions on Tishrin Dam.

In a statement published on its official platforms, it urged the deployment of international forces to protect the dam, warning of catastrophic consequences should it collapse, including the flooding of large populated areas and the destruction of numerous villages along the riverbanks.