‘Let’s implement climate action, or we perish’-Egypt

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There is urgent need for global climate action and move from negotiations and planning to implementation as the magnitude of damage and loss forecast to impact the environment and humanity is grave, Egypt, the COP-27 incoming presidency has warned.

As thousands of interest groups, including world leaders descend on Sharm El Sheikh-Egypt’s green and shore city for Africa’s third COP 27 planned for 6-18 November,  the global climate crisis has hit a crescendo-leaving trails of destruction.

Many players-globally are concerned about the anticipated reduction in temperature to an average 1.4 degrees Celsius following heightened emissions from greenhouses and seek a lasting and durable solution.

Egypt in assuming the COP 27 Presidency-is cognizant of the gravity of the global climate challenge and appreciates the value of multilateral, collective and concerted action as the only means to address the truly global calamity.

It now feels obliged to call upon all victims to be made aware of the effects of the climate change and urge for a global movement-in unison-towards a rapid, full, timely, inclusive, and at-scale action on the ground and prevent the impending catastrophe.

A statement presented during a regional climate change meeting in Lusaka and seen by FRA the north African state envisions to move from negotiations and planning to implementation.

It is incumbent for all victims of the climate crisis to move rapidly towards full, timely, inclusive, and at-scale action on the ground.

Ambassador Moataz Anwar notes that while Africa is determined to show its leadership in climate action through showcasing its contributions to global movement to tackle climate change, the time of the meeting is of an essence as outcome should provide destiny for the world-threatened by climate crisis.

Egypt is resolved to contribute immensely in resolving the climate crisis and reaffirms its commitment to support an inclusive, transparent and party-driven process to ensure timely and adequate action but needs speedy global response with hasty actions taken without delay.

“The hope is that COP27 will be the turning point where the world came together and demonstrated the requisite political will to take on the climate challenge through concerted, collaborative and impactful action.

Sharm El-Sheikh, the host city is a case study of the city’s commitment to the green transformation-having achieved major strides in the adoption of sustainable accommodation, transportation, energy, waste management and tourism operations, a call for others to replicate.

Arguably, Egypt says global mitigation of the crisis remains paramount with a call for unity to limit global warming to well below 2c and further work hard to keep the 1.5 c target alive, though the action requires bold and immediate actions and raising ambition from all parties.

Egypt in its position paper is envious that 2022 should witness the implementation of the Glasgow pact call to review ambition in Nationally determined contributions (NDCs) and to create a work program for ambition on mitigation.

World leaders, governments and state parties to the convention have reiterated their commitment at COP26 for enhanced global action on Adaptation in the COP26 and Egypt reminds all players to ensure that COP-27 makes the crucially needed progress.

All parties should strive to demonstrate the necessary political will if we are to capture and assess our progress towards enhancing resilience and assist the most vulnerable communities.

COP27 should witness an enhanced global agenda for action on adaptation, confirming what we agreed on in Paris and further elaborated in the Glasgow pact with regard to placing adaptation at the forefront of global action.

In COP-27 it is essential that all players make significant progress on the crucial issue of climate finance, while moving forward on all finance related items on the agenda.

There is a need for enhanced transparency of finance flows and facilitated access to meet the needs of developing countries specially Africa, Least Developed Countries, and SIDS with a call for follow ups.

“Existing commitments and pledges require follow up in order to provide clarity as to where we are and what more needs to be done.  Progress on delivery of the annual US$ 100 billion will build more trust between developed and developing countries.” The statement notes.

Collaboration among interest groups is paramount to achieve tangible results in a balanced manner.   The advancement of partnership and collaboration will foster delivery of set goals and ensure the world is adopting a more resilient, and sustainable economic model.

The UN negotiations are consensus-based, and reaching agreement will require inclusive and active participation from all stakeholders. Egypt is seeking to ensure there is adequate representation and participation from all relevant stakeholders in COP27.

The targeted groups are vulnerable communities and representatives from countries in the African region who are increasingly affected by the impacts of climate change.   There is a need for new solutions and innovations to help alleviate the adverse impacts of climate change.

And Egypt plans to, on the sidelines of the COP 27, launch Action on Water Adaptation and Resilience; Sustainable Urban Resilience for the Next Generation;  Food and Agriculture for Sustainable Transformation Initiative “FAST” initiatives.

Others are ‘Decent Life Initiative for a Climate Resilient Africa  50 by 2050’ Friends of ‘Greening National Investment Plans in African’ and ‘Developing Countries’ initiatives to fast-track the commitment for a climate change free world.