Latest news with #NationalClimateStrategy
Daily News Egypt
30-06-2025
- Politics
- Daily News Egypt
Egypt's Environment Minister calls for stronger action on desertification, climate resilience in Africa
Egypt's Minister of Environment, Yasmine Fouad, has warned that climate change and desertification pose critical threats to Africa's security and stability, urging coordinated regional action and increased investment in sustainable environmental and climate solutions. Speaking before the African Affairs Committee of Egypt's House of Representatives, Fouad outlined both national and continental efforts to address these mounting challenges. She also highlighted Egypt's leadership role following her appointment as Executive Secretary of the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD). 'This position reflects the trust of Egypt's political leadership and continues our country's longstanding commitment to support Africa in confronting the accelerating threat of land degradation,' Fouad said, noting that nearly 45% of Africa's landmass is already affected by desertification. Fouad reviewed Egypt's key achievements under its 2050 National Climate Strategy, including emissions reductions between 2018 and 2022 in the power, oil, and transport sectors. She also pointed to major coastal adaptation projects, such as the construction of 80 kilometres of nature-based seawalls to protect cities in the Nile Delta from rising sea levels. She stressed that desertification has evolved into a political and socioeconomic issue, not merely an environmental one, and reiterated Egypt's call to integrate the three Rio Conventions—climate change, biodiversity, and desertification—through a presidential initiative promoting cross-cutting, nature-based solutions that protect both ecosystems and local livelihoods. Addressing the Loss and Damage Fund, launched during COP27 in Sharm El-Sheikh, Fouad said Egypt is preparing national projects to access funding and has developed technical teams to assess climate-related damages and mobilise resources. She also announced the launch of an interactive climate risk map and a national contingency plan for extreme weather events. Fouad underscored Egypt's leadership in mobilising regional climate finance, particularly for food security initiatives in North and East Africa, and emphasised the importance of linking food, energy, and water security under a unified, climate-resilient development agenda. She also highlighted Egypt's recent legislative reforms, including green incentives for producers of plastic alternatives under the new investment law, and the enforcement of the Extended Producer Responsibility policy aimed at reducing single-use plastic waste. Fouad concluded by reaffirming Egypt's growing international and regional role, noting the country's preparations to host the upcoming Barcelona Convention meeting on the protection of the Mediterranean marine environment. She added that Egypt's domestic environmental efforts are increasingly viewed as a model for developing nations across the Global South.
Daily News Egypt
29-06-2025
- Business
- Daily News Egypt
Egypt launches clean tech initiative backed by UN to advance climate leadership
Egypt has launched a new national initiative to position itself as a regional leader in clean technology innovation, with support from the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO) and funding from the Green Climate Fund (GCF). Ali Abu Sena, head of Egypt's Environmental Affairs Agency, chaired the inaugural steering committee meeting of the project, which aims to accelerate climate action and support the country's energy transition. The initiative brings together key stakeholders, including UNIDO's Resident Representative in Egypt, Patrick Gilbert, and Dr. Mahitab El Rammal, Egypt's National Focal Point for the GCF. Minister of Environment Yasmine Fouad highlighted that the project will strengthen institutional coordination, build capacity across the clean tech ecosystem, attract private sector participation, and enhance early-stage climate finance. 'This is a strategic step to bolster Egypt's regional standing in climate innovation and sustainable industrial development,' Fouad said. She emphasized the project's role in supporting Egypt's shift toward a low-emissions, climate-resilient economy. Abu Sena added that the initiative will also develop innovative financing tools, offer business acceleration programs, and support the preparation of bankable climate projects aligned with the GCF's criteria. These efforts are directly linked to Egypt's Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) and its 2050 National Climate Strategy. He stressed the project's focus on empowering clean tech entrepreneurship, fostering climate-smart innovation, and generating green jobs through close collaboration with startups, government entities, private investors, and strategic sectors.
Iraqi News
30-04-2025
- Politics
- Iraqi News
Minister of Environment: Iraq is making steady progress towards fulfilling its climate commitments
Baghdad - INA Minister of Environment Helo Al-Askari affirmed on Wednesday that Iraq is making steady progress towards fulfilling its climate commitments in partnership with the international community. A statement from the ministry, received by the Iraqi News Agency (INA), stated that "Minister of Environment Helo Al-Askari discussed with the Australian Ambassador to Baghdad, Glenn Miles, prospects for bilateral cooperation in confronting the challenges of climate change. The meeting was attended by the Deputy Ambassador Madeleine Somers, along with a number of climate specialists from the Australian Embassy." The statement added that "during the meeting, the most prominent achievements within Iraq's National Climate Strategy were discussed, foremost among them the preparation of the Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) plan and the completion of the National Adaptation Plan. The meeting also discussed the steps taken to monitor air pollution in Iraqi cities, especially the capital, Baghdad, and the transition to sustainable energy sources, such as solar, wind, and hydropower." According to the statement, Al-Askari affirmed that "Iraq is making steady progress toward implementing its climate commitments, in partnership with the international community," noting "the importance of cooperation with Australia in the areas of capacity building, technology transfer, and financing clean energy projects." He noted that "preparations are underway for Iraq's participation in the 30th Conference of the Parties (COP30) in Belém, Brazil." For his part, the Australian ambassador praised "the achievements made in Iraq in the environment and climate file," stressing that "his country is closely following the advanced steps Iraq has taken in this field." He also reviewed some of Australia's successful experiences in the areas of sustainable agriculture, clean energy, and resource management, which could constitute a common ground for technical cooperation and exchange of expertise.
