Egypt Calls for ‘International Solidarity’ to Make COP27 a Success

 Egypt's ambassador to Berlin Khaled Galal presents the priorities of the Egyptian presidency for the COP27 climate summit. (Egypt’s Foreign Ministry)
Egypt's ambassador to Berlin Khaled Galal presents the priorities of the Egyptian presidency for the COP27 climate summit. (Egypt’s Foreign Ministry)
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Egypt Calls for ‘International Solidarity’ to Make COP27 a Success

 Egypt's ambassador to Berlin Khaled Galal presents the priorities of the Egyptian presidency for the COP27 climate summit. (Egypt’s Foreign Ministry)
Egypt's ambassador to Berlin Khaled Galal presents the priorities of the Egyptian presidency for the COP27 climate summit. (Egypt’s Foreign Ministry)

Egypt has called for “international solidarity” to make the upcoming 27th session of the Conference of the Parties (COP 27) of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) a success.

Foreign Minister Sameh Shoukry underlined the need for the international community to assume its responsibilities towards the global food and climate change crises, which have become more relevant to maintaining international peace and security.

He affirmed that the success of COP27 requires concerted efforts from all parties to raise ambition in the various components of climate action and sustain its financing.

Meanwhile, Presidential spokesman Bassam Rady said Cairo welcomes the participation of Italy’s Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni and all the leaders and heads of states and governments in the upcoming summit in response to the invitation of President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi.

Egypt will host the COP27 on Nov.6 till 18 in the Egyptian Red Sea resort of Sharm El-Sheikh.

Rady said Egypt looks forward to Meloni’s major contribution as an extension of Italy's active role at the international level.

In this context, the White House announced in a statement on Saturday that US President Joe Biden will travel to Egypt to participate in the COP27 UN climate change summit on November 11 as part of his foreign tour to Egypt, Cambodia and Indonesia.

“Biden would use COP27 to build on the significant work the United States has undertaken to advance the global climate fight and help the most vulnerable build resilience to climate impacts,” the statement read.

Separately, Egypt's ambassador to Berlin Khaled Galal took part in an expanded session organized by the German Foreign Ministry on COP 27.

According to a statement by Egypt’s Foreign Ministry on Saturday, Galal touched on his country’s efforts to bridge the gap between the stances of industrialized countries, developing countries and different geographical groups on the priorities of climate action.

He underscored the burdens borne by the budgets of developing countries, especially African countries, to implement their nationally determined climate contributions and commitments to adapt and address losses and damages.

He also called for implementing the pledge to provide $100 billion annually in climate finance and facilitating access to international financing alternatives, in a way that enhances the ability of developing countries to link their development plans with the implementation of climate commitments.

Galal affirmed Sharm El-Sheikh’s readiness to host the summit and Egypt’s commitment to facilitating the participation of governmental and non-governmental parties concerned with international climate action in the event, in line with the UN rules and regulations.



UN Envoy: Situation in Syria ‘Dangerous’ and Threatens ISIS Resurgence

FILED - 29 November 2020, Switzerland, Geneva: Geir Otto Pedersen, United Nations special envoy for Syria, speaks during a press conference at the UN's European headquarters. Photo: Violaine Martin/UN Geneva/dpa
FILED - 29 November 2020, Switzerland, Geneva: Geir Otto Pedersen, United Nations special envoy for Syria, speaks during a press conference at the UN's European headquarters. Photo: Violaine Martin/UN Geneva/dpa
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UN Envoy: Situation in Syria ‘Dangerous’ and Threatens ISIS Resurgence

FILED - 29 November 2020, Switzerland, Geneva: Geir Otto Pedersen, United Nations special envoy for Syria, speaks during a press conference at the UN's European headquarters. Photo: Violaine Martin/UN Geneva/dpa
FILED - 29 November 2020, Switzerland, Geneva: Geir Otto Pedersen, United Nations special envoy for Syria, speaks during a press conference at the UN's European headquarters. Photo: Violaine Martin/UN Geneva/dpa

Geir Pedersen, Special Envoy of the Secretary-General for Syria, warned on Tuesday that the situation in Syria is extremely fluid and dangerous, as a vast swathe of territory has come under the control of non-state actors.

At a briefing to the Security Council on the situation in the country, Pedersen also cautioned that developments may lead to the resurgence of ISIS.

“Hayat Tahrir Al-Sham (HTS) and armed opposition groups are gaining ground, advancing very close to Hama – a major city of some 1 million people,” he said.

In addition, the envoy warned of the potential for conflict on other axes in Syria, adding that further military escalation risks mass displacement and civilian casualties.

“I appeal to all parties to their obligations under international law to protect civilians and civilian infrastructure and allow safe passage for Syrians fleeing violence,” Pedersen told the Council.

He then urged deescalation and a rapid move to a serious political process to avoid a deepening of the crisis that threatens the territorial integrity and safety of Syria.

“If we do not see deescalation and a rapid move to a serious political process, involving the Syrian parties and the key international players, then I fear we will see a deepening of the crisis,” he said.

Pederson then revealed that he will return to the region “soon,” and he expressed his readiness to use his good offices to convene international and Syria stakeholders in new and comprehensive peace talks on Syria.

The envoy asked that deescalation be accompanied by a credible political horizon for the Syrian people

Over the past few days, armed factions in northwestern Syria led by the HTS launched a military assault against pro-Assad forces, seizing Aleppo and Idlib. They continue to advance towards the city of Hama.