British Prime Minister Boris Johnson, right, greets Egyptian President Abdel Fattah El Sisi. AP
British Prime Minister Boris Johnson, right, greets Egyptian President Abdel Fattah El Sisi. AP
British Prime Minister Boris Johnson, right, greets Egyptian President Abdel Fattah El Sisi. AP
British Prime Minister Boris Johnson, right, greets Egyptian President Abdel Fattah El Sisi. AP

Egypt's Abdel Fattah El Sisi urges Cop26 to hit $100bn climate funds target


Simon Rushton
  • English
  • Arabic

Egypt is concerned over the gap between the finance available for climate change measures and the actual needs of the developing countries.

President Abdel Fattah El Sisi told the Cop26 climate conference that it is vital that previously promised money is made available.

“We remain concerned about the gap between the available finance and the actual needs of the developing countries, added to the challenges faced by our countries to access this finance,” he said.

“It is imperative that developed countries fulfil $100 billion annually to climate finance in developing countries.”

He also told the summit about steps taken in Egypt to tackle climate change.

“Egypt initiated several steps to implement a sustainable development model that addressed climate change, and adapting to its negative impact as a main part of it, a model that aims that the government-financed green projects reaches 50 per cent of total projects by 2025 and 100 per cent by 2030," he said.

"For example, renewable energy constitutes today 20 per cent of Egypt’s consumed energy with the aim of reaching 42 per cent by 2035 while rationalising the energy subsidies.”

The Egyptian leader met UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson at the summit.

  • British Prime Minister Boris Johnson delivers a speech during the opening ceremony of the Cop26 summit in Glasgow. AP
    British Prime Minister Boris Johnson delivers a speech during the opening ceremony of the Cop26 summit in Glasgow. AP
  • Boris Johnson greets US President Joe Biden. AP
    Boris Johnson greets US President Joe Biden. AP
  • Journalists listen to a live transmission of the speech by Boris Johnson. AFP
    Journalists listen to a live transmission of the speech by Boris Johnson. AFP
  • Sir David Attenborough delivers a speech during the opening ceremony. Reuters
    Sir David Attenborough delivers a speech during the opening ceremony. Reuters
  • Prince Charles arrives for the summit. Getty Images
    Prince Charles arrives for the summit. Getty Images
  • A view of the opening ceremony in Glasgow. AP
    A view of the opening ceremony in Glasgow. AP
  • Boris Johnson speaks to UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres as leaders arrive at the Cop26 summit in Glasgow. AP
    Boris Johnson speaks to UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres as leaders arrive at the Cop26 summit in Glasgow. AP
  • Boris Johnson greets Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi ahead of their bilateral meeting. Getty Images
    Boris Johnson greets Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi ahead of their bilateral meeting. Getty Images
  • A member of staff adjusts flags before the arrival of leaders in Glasgow. Getty Images
    A member of staff adjusts flags before the arrival of leaders in Glasgow. Getty Images
  • Boris Johnson and Antonio Guterres in discussion with French President Emmanuel Macron. Reuters
    Boris Johnson and Antonio Guterres in discussion with French President Emmanuel Macron. Reuters
  • Environmental campaigners with 'big heads' of world leaders, including Joe Biden and Boris Johnson, dress in kilts and carry bagpipes as they gather in Royal Exchange Square, central Glasgow. PA
    Environmental campaigners with 'big heads' of world leaders, including Joe Biden and Boris Johnson, dress in kilts and carry bagpipes as they gather in Royal Exchange Square, central Glasgow. PA
  • Delegates queue as they arrive at the event. AP
    Delegates queue as they arrive at the event. AP
  • Boris Johnson waits to greet leaders as they arrive to attend. AFP
    Boris Johnson waits to greet leaders as they arrive to attend. AFP
  • A protester dressed as a dinosaur roars outside the Gallery of Modern Art in Glasgow. PA
    A protester dressed as a dinosaur roars outside the Gallery of Modern Art in Glasgow. PA
  • Boris Johnson and Antonio Guterres hold a conversation with Narendra Modi. AP
    Boris Johnson and Antonio Guterres hold a conversation with Narendra Modi. AP
  • Red Rebellion activists participate in a protest at Glasgow Central Station. Reuters
    Red Rebellion activists participate in a protest at Glasgow Central Station. Reuters
  • Joe Biden attends the opening session of Cop26. AP Photo
    Joe Biden attends the opening session of Cop26. AP Photo
  • Canada's Prime Minister Justin Trudeau arrives at the Cop26 summit. PA
    Canada's Prime Minister Justin Trudeau arrives at the Cop26 summit. PA
  • Boris Johnson greets Antonio Guterres and Palestinian Prime Minister Mohammed Shtayyeh. AP
    Boris Johnson greets Antonio Guterres and Palestinian Prime Minister Mohammed Shtayyeh. AP
  • Emmanuel Macron speaks to reporters. Reuters
    Emmanuel Macron speaks to reporters. Reuters
  • Scotland's First Minister Nicola Sturgeon (C) poses for a photograph as she meets climate activists Vanessa Nakate (R) and Greta Thunberg. AFP
    Scotland's First Minister Nicola Sturgeon (C) poses for a photograph as she meets climate activists Vanessa Nakate (R) and Greta Thunberg. AFP
  • A man tries out virtual reality goggles at the SECC in Glasgow, the venue for Cop26. Getty Images
    A man tries out virtual reality goggles at the SECC in Glasgow, the venue for Cop26. Getty Images
  • Boris Johnson welcomes German Chancellor Angela Merkel. Getty Images
    Boris Johnson welcomes German Chancellor Angela Merkel. Getty Images
  • Egyptian President Abdel Fattah El Sisi arrives at Cop26. PA
    Egyptian President Abdel Fattah El Sisi arrives at Cop26. PA
  • Indonesian traditional dancers perform. Reuters
    Indonesian traditional dancers perform. Reuters

They agreed that Glasgow must be a pivotal moment for countries to deliver real action on coal, cars, cash and trees, looking ahead to Egypt’s presidency of Cop27 next year, the UK government said.

The two leaders also discussed the importance of countries transitioning to renewable energy, and agreed to work together closely to secure ambitious progress on climate change and ensure the benefits of green technology and growth are felt around the world.

As Cop26 opened, Mr Johnson called the summit the beginning of the end of efforts to tackle climate change, telling world leaders: “Let’s get to work.”

Later in the day, he met India's Prime Minister Narendra Modi who said India will meet its target of net-zero emissions by 2070.

UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres saidd the “sirens are sounding” and “our planet is telling us something”.

Experts behind the crucial climate report that underpins the Cop26 summit believe governments will miss the target of limiting global warming to 1.5°C by a wide margin, a new survey shows.

Updated: November 02, 2021, 7:20 AM