COP27 President-Designate: Commitments to keep 1.5°C within reach ‘more fragile’ than ever

CAIRO – 21 October 2022: Egyptian Foreign Minister and COP27 President Designate and Sameh Shoukry said that the world pledge towards keeping the 1.5°C within reach is “more fragile” than ever due to the geopolitical situations.

In an exclusive interview with The Guardian, Shoukry said: “It is more fragile, because of the impact of the current global situation […] If countries are to backtrack or deviate from their commitments, and their efforts to maintain those agreements and understandings made in Paris and Glasgow, we will be on track to have over 2C and maybe up to 3.6C, according to the science available.”

With the participation of over 30,000 delegates and more than 90 heads of state and government, COP 27 will convene in Sharm El Sheikh, Egypt, from 6th-18th November. However, the most difficult challenges that face the international gathering are issues related to a just climate transition and delivering on support pledged for developing countries, said Ambassador Mohamed Nasr, Lead Negotiator and Director General of Climate, Environment and Sustainable Development at the Egyptian Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

This year's international gathering aims to establish legally binding commitments for developed countries to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Egypt focuses on urgent and priority issues in the African continent, in particular, and in developing countries in general, such as adaptation and climate finance.