Dozens of heads of state and government gathered at the world climate conference in Egypt to discuss next steps in the fight against the climate crisis.
Portal/Mohammed Salem
French President Emmanuel Macron, Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro and UAE President Mohammed bin Sajid, among others, arrived in Sharm al-Sheikh today. After a group photo, Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi opened the summit segment of the two-week conference with a speech.
“Eyes on Us”
“There are great expectations of good results,” said Sisi. “Millions of people around the planet are watching us.” The consequences of climate-related weather events have never been as devastating as they are today.
“We have seen one catastrophe after another. As soon as we deal with one catastrophe, another comes along – wave after wave.” The land has turned into a “world of suffering,” Sisi said.
The Egyptian president, who works closely with Russia in the military and energy fields, among other things, called for an end to the “war between Russia and Ukraine”. The war must stop, Sisi said – without directly blaming Russia for the attack.
First high-profile speeches
Speeches by German Chancellor Olaf Scholz, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, new British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak and Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif are expected today and tomorrow.
Federal President Alexander Van der Bellen, Environment Minister Leonore Gewessler (Greens) and Finance Minister Magnus Brunner (ÖVP) participate on behalf of Austria.
US President Joe Biden plans to attend the UN conference on Friday. In addition, parallel rounds of conversations are planned, the so-called round tables, on topics such as water and food security or green hydrogen. A total of around 110 heads of state and government are expected.