El Sisi says Egypt is interested in hosting Cop27 next year

The Egyptian president aims to represent Africa in climate talks

President Abdel Fattah El Sisi said if Egypt were to host Cop27 next year it would be 'a radical turning point in international climate efforts'. AP

Egypt's President Abdel Fattah El Sisi declared his country's interest in hosting the UN's Cop27 summit next year.

The offer for the climate change conference was made on behalf of the African continent, Mr El Sisi said.

It would be "a radical turning point in international climate efforts in co-ordination with all parties, for the benefit of Africa and the entire world", Reuters quoted him as saying on Monday.

US climate envoy John Kerry had earlier welcomed the UAE’s offer to host the Cop28 in 2023.

"I personally can see strong arguments for the UAE’s candidacy," he said. "You know it’s not my decision alone or ours alone, at all, but the UAE is obviously a very strong contender for that."

Mr Kerry visited Abu Dhabi in June for talks that focused on using climate change action to drive regional and global growth.

This year's conference, Cop26, will be hosted by the UK in Glasgow in November.

In an interview with The National on Monday, Alok Sharma, the president of Cop26, said climate change was “the biggest security risk for the world”, but it had the potential to bring peace to warring countries.

“This is an opportunity for countries to reimagine their economies,” Mr Sharma said.

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  A cyclist passes by as construction workers prepare the site of the Cop26 summit in Glasgow, Scotland. November will see the UK host world leaders at the 26th UN Climate Summit. Getty Images

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  Police Scotland officers take part in a role-play exercise involving an armed policing response stopping a suspect in a vehicle during Cop26 public order training in East Kilbride. PA

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  Construction workers at the site of the Cop26 climate summit in Glasgow. Queen Elizabeth II, Pope Francis and US President Joe Biden are among the high-profile people expected to attend. Getty Images

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  Scottish police officers take part in a role-play exercise recreating a protest in Glasgow. The police numbers involved at Cop26 will eclipse those seen at previous high-profile events in Scotland. Reuters

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  World leaders will gather to discuss steps to achieve a zero-carbon future by 2050. Getty Images

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  The force is understood to have about 500 armed officers but will be assisted by a 'significant' number of armed police from elsewhere in the UK for the summit. PA

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  Construction workers at the SEC Armadillo building, one of the summit venues. Getty Images

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  Scottish police officers take part in role-play exercise, recreating a protest during Cop26 public order training. Reuters