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.



Families of Israeli Hostages Held in Gaza Start Hunger Strike

Families of Israelis held hostage in Gaza hold banners and photos during a protest near Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's residence in Jerusalem on September 30 (EPA)
Families of Israelis held hostage in Gaza hold banners and photos during a protest near Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's residence in Jerusalem on September 30 (EPA)
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Families of Israeli Hostages Held in Gaza Start Hunger Strike

Families of Israelis held hostage in Gaza hold banners and photos during a protest near Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's residence in Jerusalem on September 30 (EPA)
Families of Israelis held hostage in Gaza hold banners and photos during a protest near Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's residence in Jerusalem on September 30 (EPA)

Family members of Israelis held in Hamas tunnels in the Gaza Strip began a hunger strike, accusing the Israeli government of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of completely abandoning their cause by waging a brutal war in Lebanon.
They said Israel’s decision to expand the war to the north with Lebanon and possibly to a regional war with Iran, is “a death sentence for their sons and daughters” who were taken captive by Hamas a year ago in Operation Al-Aqsa.
The hunger strike came after the Israeli Army’s Home Front Command ordered a ban on gathering for fear of Hezbollah, Houthis and other parties firing rockets at the protesters.
Despite this decision, some family members of Israeli hostages chose to continue their protest. But there were only a few hundred who participated.
Meanwhile, 18 Israelis continued a hunger strike, demanding a deal that would bring the hostages home.
Danny, the brother of Itzik Algert, one of the hostages in Hamas captivity said he understands that the hunger strike is a desperate move, but added that he cannot remain silent while his brother faces the danger of death in captivity.
“We have a government that does not shy away from committing a crime against its children,” he said. “Demonstrations are now limited and forbidden while the public is indifferent. They will not move until they watch us die, and even then, I'm not sure they will. But, we can't celebrate the holiday while our children suffer,” Danny added.
There are 101 hostages held by Hamas since October 2023, about 31 of whom Israeli officials estimate have died. Their families urge the country's leadership to secure a ceasefire deal that would free the captives before they see more deaths.
The hunger strike was started by activist Orna Shimoni, who is 83 years old. Shimoni became prominent during the first Lebanon war in 1982 when she established a movement called the Four Mothers.
Protesters who joined Shimoni include David Agmon, a retired Brigadier General in the Israeli army, and Rabbi Avidan Freedman.
Those striking are staying outside the Knesset west of Jerusalem.
Michal Deutsch, who is taking part in the protest, accused right-wing activists of attacking and insulting everyone at the hunger strike. She said those activists were sent by the government to harass the strikers.