Latest news with #20thAfricanMinisterialConferenceontheEnvironment
Daily News Egypt
4 days ago
- Politics
- Daily News Egypt
Egypt advances environmental cooperation in Africa at AMCEN summit
Egypt reaffirmed its leadership in shaping Africa's environmental agenda during the 20th African Ministerial Conference on the Environment (AMCEN), held in Nairobi from 14–18 July 2025. Environment Minister Yasmine Fouad headed Egypt's delegation, using the forum to strengthen bilateral partnerships and advocate for climate resilience and sustainable development across the continent. On the sidelines of the summit, Fouad met with Somalia's Minister of Environment and Climate Change, General Bashir Jama, to explore cooperation in climate change adaptation, combating desertification, and building institutional capacity. Fouad reiterated Egypt's commitment to supporting Somalia and other African countries in addressing shared environmental challenges. Jama praised Egypt's leadership during COP27 and welcomed the proposal to sign a new memorandum of understanding aimed at launching joint projects and introducing sustainable technologies. In a separate high-level meeting, Fouad met with Ambassador Luis Vayas, Chair of the Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee on Plastic Pollution. She highlighted the urgent need to develop a binding international treaty to tackle plastic waste and pollution. Fouad pointed to Egypt's national progress, including the adoption of extended producer responsibility (EPR) for plastic bags, and stressed the importance of establishing an intergovernmental process backed by independent financing mechanisms to secure treaty effectiveness. Fouad also held discussions with EU Commissioner for the Environment Jessica Roswall on topics including water and food security, as well as plastic pollution. She emphasised AMCEN's critical role in uniting African nations through collective dialogue and joint action to address environmental challenges. Reflecting on the history of AMCEN, founded in Cairo in 1985 by Mostafa Kamal Tolba, Fouad described it as one of Africa's most influential platforms for shaping environmental policy. In her official address to AMCEN, Fouad looked back on four decades of African resilience and progress in environmental protection. She underscored Egypt's own contributions, including updated Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs), projects to protect natural resources, and promotion of the circular economy. Fouad called for fair and accessible international climate finance—particularly for adaptation—and urged greater alignment among the three Rio Conventions on climate change, biodiversity, and desertification. She also voiced hope that the ongoing Geneva negotiations on a global plastic treaty would produce consensus that recognises different national contexts and socioeconomic realities. Egypt, she said, will send a multi-stakeholder delegation to the next negotiation round—including government representatives and private sector stakeholders—to reflect an inclusive, nationally driven approach to the treaty process. Looking ahead to her forthcoming role as Executive Secretary of the UN Convention to Combat Desertification, Fouad underlined that deeper cooperation, innovation, and inclusive governance will be central to tackling desertification and securing a sustainable future for Africa. She concluded by thanking AMCEN's leadership and South Africa for hosting the summit, and reaffirmed Egypt's commitment to advancing shared environmental priorities across the continent. The Egyptian delegation also included officials from the Ministry of Environment, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and the Embassy in Nairobi, all working together to position Egypt as a key driver of environmental cooperation and climate action in Africa.
Muscat Daily
4 days ago
- Politics
- Muscat Daily
Oman engages with Africa, EU, G77 on environment
Muscat – Oman took part in the 20th African Ministerial Conference on the Environment (AMCEN) held in Nairobi from July 14 to 18. The delegation was led by Dr Abdullah bin Ali al Amri, Chairman of Environment Authority and President of the seventh session of the United Nations Environment Assembly (UNEA-7). Oman's participation was part of the preparatory plan as UNEA-7 president focusing on partnership with all stakeholders to ensure a successful session. This edition of AMCEN also marked the 40th anniversary of the conference, which was founded in 1985 and has contributed to progress in sustainable development, biodiversity protection, climate action and pollution control. In his address, Amri commended AMCEN and the African Union for their long-standing contributions to joint environmental action across the continent. He traced the conference's journey since its inception in Cairo and acknowledged its role in shaping a unified African environmental agenda and strengthening the continent's voice in global negotiations. He underlined the collaboration between AMCEN and UNEA as a model for regional-global partnerships, noting its significance in advancing the 2030 Sustainable Development Goals and Africa's Agenda 2063. Amri also outlined a vision to strengthen AMCEN's role through science-based policymaking, climate-sensitive financing, the use of digital and AI tools for environmental monitoring, and integrated approaches linking energy, minerals and the environment. He emphasised the need for inclusive and just green transitions in future development. On the sidelines of the conference, Amri held a series of meetings with key stakeholders. He met representatives of the Group of 77 and China to exchange views on the draft Ministerial Declaration and agenda topics. Discussions on similar themes were also held with EU representatives, including the European Commissioner for Environment and Circular Economy. Amri also met the Deputy Permanent Representative of the Russian Federation in Nairobi, with talks focusing on UNEA-7 preparations. He held a separate meeting with Dr Yasmine Fouad, Executive Secretary of the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification, to explore areas of collaboration with the Convention Secretariat. Additionally, Amri held consultations with several African environment ministers, reviewing the state of preparations for UNEA-7 and gathering inputs on the draft Ministerial Declaration.
Morocco World
6 days ago
- Business
- Morocco World
Morocco Proposes Bold Framework for Climate Finance Reform in Africa
Rabat – At the 20th African Ministerial Conference on the Environment (AMCEN-20) in Nairobi, Morocco stepped forward with a pragmatic vision to help African countries unlock climate finance and build stronger, greener economies. Leila Benali, Minister of Energy Transition spoke during the opening ministerial session on Wednesday, outlining a three-part approach rooted in governance, innovation, and fairness. She addressed one of the continent's most persistent challenges: access to climate finance. 'We cannot address Africa's climate needs without financial systems that place sustainability at their core,' Benali told the high-level gathering. She explained that Morocco's vision rests on integrating climate finance into national planning, tightening coordination across institutions, and pushing for a shift in the global financial order. The country has already put forward a national strategy for climate finance. It serves as both a roadmap and a commitment, aiming to align public spending with green goals and bring private investment into sustainable sectors. Benali said this strategy builds on Morocco's broader ambitions under its sustainable development and low-carbon plans. But finance alone, she argued, cannot succeed without strong institutions. The second axis of Morocco's vision calls for better coordination between environment and finance ministries. Morocco has created a national commission on climate change and biodiversity, including a working group focused specifically on climate finance. The Ministry of Finance has also started factoring climate risks into its annual debt analysis. Benali called other financial tools such as debt-for-climate swaps, green bonds, and carbon markets underdeveloped alternatives for the continent. Morocco, with the advantage of growing financial complexity and regulatory roots, can be a regional portal to connect African economies with international capital, particularly between European and Atlantic markets. The third proposal item was the global playing field. The international finance architecture is not yet level for the Global South countries, Benali believes. She recalled the 2023 IMF and World Bank annual meetings in Marrakech as a turning point, where momentum mounted to overhaul global finance for the benefit of Africa. In Nairobi, and in the presence of Kenyan President William Ruto, Benali reaffirmed Morocco's readiness to collaborate across the continent. 'We stand with African countries for a future that is resilient, self-determined, and fair,' she said. As part of this effort, Morocco plans to launch an African task force on green and sustainable finance. The goal is to create an inclusive and practical framework that serves African needs and strengthens the region's ability to meet its environmental and climate objectives. Tags: Africa climateclimate financeMoroccosustainability
Maroc
7 days ago
- Politics
- Maroc
Morocco Participates at 20th African Ministerial Conference on Environment in Nairobi
The 20th African Ministerial Conference on the Environment (AMCEN-20) kicked off on Wednesday at the headquarters of the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) in Nairobi, with Morocco's participation. The Kingdom is represented at the conference, held under the theme 'Four decades of environmental action in Africa: reflecting on the past and imagining the future', through a delegation led by Minister of Energy Transition and Sustainable Development Leila Benali. Morocco's participation in this 20th session reflects its firm commitment to actively contribute to defining and implementing ambitious African environmental policies, in line with the High Guidelines of His Majesty King Mohammed VI in favor of a sustainable future for Africa and for future generations. The session, held until July 18, is a key opportunity to take stock of 40 years of regional environmental cooperation. It offers African environment ministers the opportunity to examine emerging challenges, identify opportunities for continent-wide action, and explore ways of cooperating to bring Africa's priorities to the global stage. In addition, ministers and experts will review progress made in implementing the decisions adopted at the 18th and 19th ordinary and 10th extraordinary sessions of the AMCEN, as well as identify Africa's environmental priorities for the 2025-2027 period. To celebrate the 40th anniversary of the AMCEN, a special high-level session will be held on July 18, with the participation of high-level figures from Africa and worldwide, to examine environmental sustainability on the continent. The special session will also result in the adoption of a declaration on the 40 year achievements of AMCEN and recommendations for meeting Africa's environmental challenges in the future. MAP: 16 July 2025
