As part of Egypt’s commitment to aligning its tourism and cultural heritage sectors with global environmental priorities, Deputy Minister of Tourism and Antiquities, Yomna El-Bahar, took part in a series of high-level sessions at the 62nd Session of the Subsidiary Bodies (SB62) under the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), held in Bonn, Germany from June 16 to 26.
El-Bahar participated over three days in several technical sessions and consultations aimed at advancing international climate negotiations, particularly those related to adaptation, finance, and capacity building — all critical themes for climate-vulnerable countries like Egypt.
Amplifying Egypt’s Position in Global Climate Dialogues
Egypt’s delegation to the SB62 meetings included negotiators from various government entities, with a clear objective: to advocate Egypt’s national priorities, share perspectives, and shape the development of international climate policies. The discussions focused on reducing emissions, enhancing adaptation strategies, accessing climate finance, and promoting technology transfer.
Mainstreaming Climate Goals in Tourism Development
The Deputy Minister joined several key sessions, including the opening plenary where the technical agenda was adopted. She also engaged in workshops that addressed the Global Goal on Adaptation, strategies for integrating climate action with national development planning, and approaches for maximizing access to international financing instruments — particularly for developing countries.
Notably, El-Bahar contributed to discussions on the design and implementation of the Gender Action Plan, emphasizing the inclusion of women in climate action. She underlined how these principles are being incorporated into Egypt’s sustainable tourism initiatives, especially in eco-tourism-dependent communities.
Climate Finance and Carbon Neutrality
A key highlight of her visit was participation in the first 2025 workshop of the Sharm El-Sheikh Mitigation Ambition and Implementation Work Programme, an initiative born out of Egypt’s COP27 legacy. The session examined pathways to harmonize development finance goals with economic transitions toward carbon neutrality, and explored mechanisms to channel global financial flows into climate-aligned projects.
El-Bahar emphasized the importance of positioning sustainable tourism as a driver of green investment, encouraging stakeholders from the finance sector, development agencies, and governments to recognize the sector’s role in climate resilience.
Tourism Supply Chain
El-Bahar also attended negotiations on proposed policy measures to address emissions from international aviation and maritime transport — sectors with direct implications for global tourism. These talks are increasingly central to UNFCCC discussions as countries strive to decarbonize high-impact industries.
Tourism as a Catalyst for Climate-Resilient Development
Speaking on the sidelines of the meetings, Ms. El-Bahar stressed that environmental sustainability and climate action are foundational pillars in Egypt’s tourism and antiquities strategy. She highlighted ongoing efforts by the Ministry to promote green economy projects, expand the use of renewable energy, enhance energy efficiency, and improve waste management systems.
“We are building an institutional framework that embeds climate resilience in Egypt’s tourism and heritage sectors,” she said. “It’s not only about protecting our rich legacy, but ensuring that it thrives for generations to come.”
