Egypt participated in a high-level regional ministerial meeting on climate change and migration hosted by the Ugandan government in Entebbe in cooperation with the International Organisation for Migration (IOM).
The event was attended by Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni and South Sudanese President Salva Kiir Mayardit.
During the meeting, Egypt’s Ambassador in Kampala Ashraf Sweilem stressed that Egypt — as the next president of the UN Conference of Parties on Climate Change (COP27) that is scheduled to be held in Sharm El-Sheikh this November — is working to mobilise international efforts to implement the outcomes of the COP26 and build on them with regard to climate change adaptation, mitigation, and mobilisation of climate finance.
“During its presidency of the conference, Egypt is also working to moving from the stage of pledges to implementation, focusing on African priorities and concerns and expressing Egypt’s aspiration to continue coordinating and working with African countries,” he added.
Furthermore, Sweilem focused in his interventions on the relationship between climate change and migration and the implications of this on sustainable development.
He also highlighted the challenges faced by developing countries in dealing with the increase in the number of groups most vulnerable to the consequences of climate change and natural disasters. Additionally, he reviewed national efforts to support the resilience of citizens and communities most affected by climate change.
In its last session, the meeting adopted a joint statement chaired by Museveni with the participation of Salva Kiir and relevant ministers from East African countries, the Horn of Africa, and regional organisations, stressing the need to elevate the issue of climate change to the top of all states’ priorities, especially since Africa is the most affected by its repercussions.
