Foreign Minister Sameh Shoukry, president-designate of the 27th session of the Conference of the Parties (COP 27) to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), and British Minister Alok Sharma, president of COP 26, met on Saturday in Cairo.
Yasmin Fouad, Minister of Environment, ministerial coordinator and envoy of the conference, also joined the meeting.
Following the discussions, Shoukry and Sharma issued a joint statement confirming their commitment to strengthen their bilateral cooperation to combat climate change and maintain and build on the current momentum for global climate action.
They agreed to work together in 2022 and beyond to advance the ambitious implementation of the UNFCCC and the Paris Agreement, and to implement the outcomes of the Glasgow climate pact to keep the 1.5 C target within reach.
They asserted their support to developing countries ‘ efforts to adapt to the negative impacts of climate change.
In this regard, the UK will give its full support to Egypt to achieve ambitious outcomes during COP 27, including ensuring assistance to those most affected by the consequences of climate change.
The ministers stressed the urgent need for action to address the gaps in ambition related to emissions reduction, adaptation to the adverse effects of climate change, loss and damage, and climate finance, and the importance of responding to the best available science in this regard.
The two sides said that much remains to be done, especially with regard to the implementation of the commitments made.
“We aim to continue a lasting legacy that will ensure that the UNFCCC negotiating process continues to drive ambitious action to address climate change and its negative consequences.” the statement said.
Shoukry and Sharma stressed that through their partnership, they are leading and supporting key processes, activities and initiatives to increase ambition and support implementation to achieve the goals of the UNFCCC and the Paris Agreement. Together, they will urge all parties to meet their commitments to reduce emissions, adapt and address loss and damage.
They also stressed the need to strengthen climate finance, calling on states parties to reconsider and strengthen their 2030 emissions targets by the end of 2022, in line with the Paris Agreement’s temperature target, including strengthening Nationally Determined Contributions and long-term strategies, scaling up their ambition, ensuring rapid fulfilment of the $100bn pledge and making progress towards doubling adaptation funding from 2019 levels, as set out in the Glasgow climate pact.
The two sides recognized the importance of climate action at the national level to demonstrate leadership in climate action at the global level, and recognized the opportunity that their partnership offers to enhance shared prosperity through green trade and enhanced investment opportunities.
They would work closely with key partners, including the UNFCCC secretariat and the chairpersons of subsidiary bodies of the conference of the parties, and would continue inclusive leadership and engagement that left no cause or party behind, as well as listening to the voices of civil society and all parties and groups, including youth and Indigenous Peoples’
It was agreed to continue close consultations in the coming months at the ministerial and substantive levels.