On the sidelines of the 20th session of the African Ministerial Conference on the Environment (AMCEN), held in Nairobi, Kenya from July 14–18 under the theme “Four Decades of Environmental Action in Africa: Reflecting on the Past and Imagining the Future,” Egypt’s Minister of Environment, Dr. Yasmine Fouad, held a high-level meeting with Professor Jim Skea, Chair of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC).
The meeting focused on Egypt’s role in upcoming IPCC meetings, particularly the 63rd session scheduled for October 2025, as well as on enhancing international cooperation to address pressing environmental challenges — with climate change at the forefront.
Science-Based Policymaking and Global Environmental Cooperation
Dr. Fouad emphasized the importance of science-based approaches to shaping environmental policy. She stressed the critical role of scientific assessments and environmental reporting in helping governments identify priorities and develop effective national policies.
She also highlighted Egypt’s recent efforts to strengthen its environmental performance evaluation systems, which laid the groundwork for successfully hosting the UN Climate Change Conference COP27 in 2022 — a turning point in Egypt’s climate leadership both regionally and globally.
Building on Egypt’s COP Leadership
Drawing from her experience leading both COP14 for Biodiversity and COP27 for Climate, Dr. Fouad underscored the value of technology and scientific innovation in creating tailored solutions that reflect each country’s unique context and development needs.
She also referenced the recent outcomes of COP16 of the UN Convention to Combat Desertification, hosted by Saudi Arabia, which issued a resolution reinforcing the role of science in addressing desertification.
Rio Conventions Synergy and Egypt’s Integrated Approach
Dr. Fouad stressed the need for greater synergy between the three Rio Conventions — Climate Change, Biodiversity, and Desertification — noting that Egypt has already been advancing this integrated model.
She cited President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi’s 2018 initiative, which champions nature-based solutions that balance water efficiency, social equity, and climate financing for local communities.
One such initiative is the ENACT Global Partnership, co-launched by Egypt, Germany, and the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) during COP27. The initiative continues to implement its goals at the global level, focusing on environmental action through nature-based approaches.
IPCC Praises Egypt’s Environmental Leadership
Prof. Jim Skea praised Egypt’s environmental and climate performance, highlighting the importance of comprehensive scientific assessments produced by the IPCC. He emphasized the panel’s commitment to expanding scientific knowledge, training, and capacity building in developing countries, particularly in Africa.
He also pointed to the value of greater integration among global environmental frameworks, especially in light of growing scientific consensus around carbon neutrality and sustainable development.
The meeting concluded with Professor Skea inviting Egypt to play a key role in contributing to the IPCC’s upcoming report, noting Egypt’s status as a regional and global model for climate action and environmental leadership.
