Egypt’s Planning minister inaugurates the “Partnership for Adaptation to Climate Change in Arab Countries” conference

H.E. Dr. Hala El-Said, Minister of Planning and Economic Development inaugurated on Tuesday the “Partnership for Adaptation to Climate Change in the Arab Countries” conference.

During her speech, Dr. Hala El-Said said that the “Partnership for Adaptation to Climate Change in the Arab Countries” conference addresses one of the most important development issues at the global and national levels, which is an adaptation to climate change in our Arab region.

“Due to the (Climate Change) phenomenon’s economic and social repercussions. It prevents the people of developing countries from benefiting from development efforts.” She added.

This phenomenon represents pressure on the economies of these countries, as its effects extend to major economic sectors such as agriculture, water resources, energy, infrastructure, trade, and supply chains, as well as the sectors of public health, food security, education, and job opportunities, according to El-Said.

El-Said noted that this conference comes as a culmination of the distinguished partnership that brings together the Ministry of Planning and Economic Development and Abdul Latif Jameel Poverty Action Lab Middle East and North Africa (J-PAL MENA at AUC), which has resulted in a group of initiatives, the most prominent of which is the Egyptian Impact Lab. 

El-Said explained that the most prominent goals of the aforementioned conference are to support the ability of policymakers in the MENA region to direct investments towards climate change adaptation policies and programs based on the results of scientific methodologies to assess the impact, in addition to supporting the ability of experts and climate negotiators to cooperate with decision-makers.

  The benefit of measuring the impact of environmental policies increases in light of the high cost of adaptation measures, as the latest United Nations Environment Program reports on efforts to adapt to climate change indicated that the cost of adaptation measures in developing countries is estimated at $ 100 Bn annually, and is expected to reach $ 300 Bn in 2030.

El-Said said that the conference’s discussion and interactive sessions, which are held over two consecutive days, witness topical discussions that address (1) examining the role of infrastructure, ecosystems, and non-traditional water resources in promoting sustainable water management practices, as well as (2) examining the impact of climate change on global food security.

El-Said also stressed the importance of involving stakeholders and civil society in developing and implementing strategies for water management and food production that are fair, equitable, inclusive, and achieve social justice. In addition, (3) highlighting the challenges and opportunities for integrating climate adaptation and green skills into education and training systems to drive innovation and leadership. 

El-Said pointed out that today’s conference will witness the launch of the new Abdul Latif Jameel Clean Air and Clean Water Laboratory, which aims to improve the quality of clean air and water through cooperation with government agencies to unify the efforts and initiatives of researchers.

El-Said added that the combined efforts of all state institutions and local, regional, and international development partners come from a shared conviction of the importance of intensifying cooperation efforts to deal with the phenomenon of climate change, which has become increasingly prominent in public policy.

This is done by launching innovative and effective partnerships to study this issue, to unify ranks in the face of the negative effects of this phenomenon, which is becoming more severe day by day, and whose dire consequences are appearing all over the world.

Meanwhile, El-Said asserted the close connection between the issue of water scarcity and food shortages. 

According to statements by the Food and Agriculture Organization this year, nearly 600 million people are expected to suffer from chronic malnutrition by 2030.

This reflects the magnitude of the enormous challenge represented in achieving the 2nd SDG of “Zero Hunger,” in addition to its impact on all other international goals and efforts to achieve them, most notably the goals related to preserving human health, raising the efficiency of education, and eliminating poverty.

  These are the issues that were raised on the sidelines of the United Nations Sustainable Development Summit, which was held on the sidelines of the meetings of the high-level segment of the United Nations General Assembly during this month.

The summit outcomes showed that only 12% of the countries in the world were able to achieve part of the sustainable development goals.

In this context, the Egyptian state has approved several institutional arrangements and measures that it will take to support and accelerate the achievement of international goals, including financing the goals of the 2030 Agenda, localizing sustainable development goals, eliminating poverty, and increasing private sector participation.

El-Said explained that within the framework of the global trend to go green and confront the repercussions of climate change, Egypt was keen to have an active role, whether through projects at the local level or through international initiatives.

The Egyptian state, represented by the Ministry of Planning and Economic Development, launched the National Initiative for Smart Green Projects in all Egyptian governorates in August 2022 to represent a pioneering Egyptian development initiative aimed at stimulating creative ideas and practical implementation of innovative environmental treatments in all governorates of Egypt.

  In light of the outstanding success of the first cycle of this initiative, its second cycle was launched in April 2023, and the application period for the initiative was extended more than once, due to the huge demand for it from projects, according to El-Said.

She further highlighted what the state is doing to work on greening the investment plan and increasing the percentage of green public investments in the plan from 40% this year to 50% of the total public investments by the year 24/2025.

  “The Egyptian state is directing  EGP 410 to mitigate and adapt to the effects of climate change in the 2023/22 investment plan, of which 78% is directed to mitigating the effects of climate changes, and 22% is directed to projects to adapt to the effects of these changes,” She said.

  This strategy is already being implemented through many projects in various sectors, most notably new and renewable energy projects, energy efficiency, and transportation and clean mobility projects, according to El-Said.

In this context, Egypt was the first country in the MENA region to launch green bonds that focus on financing expenses associated with environmentally friendly green projects.

El-Said concluded her speech by referring to what the Ministry of Planning and Economic Development did, based on the success of the Egyptian experience in the “Decent Life” initiative, by launching the “Decent Life Initiative for a Resilient Africa in the Context of Climate Change” also on the sidelines of the CoP27.

This initiative aims to support the implementation of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change and the Paris Agreement and improve the quality of life in 30% of the poorest and most vulnerable villages to climate change by 2030, thus supporting efforts to confront the phenomenon of climate change and accelerating the implementation of nationally determined contribution plans.