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.

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.

ICC T20 Team of 2021

Jos Buttler, Mohammad Rizwan, Babar Azam, Aiden Markram, Mitchell Marsh, David Miller, Tabraiz Shamsi, Josh Hazlewood, Wanindu Hasaranga, Mustafizur Rahman, Shaheen Afridi

What the law says

Micro-retirement is not a recognised concept or employment status under Federal Decree Law No. 33 of 2021 on the Regulation of Labour Relations (as amended) (UAE Labour Law). As such, it reflects a voluntary work-life balance practice, rather than a recognised legal employment category, according to Dilini Loku, senior associate for law firm Gateley Middle East.

“Some companies may offer formal sabbatical policies or career break programmes; however, beyond such arrangements, there is no automatic right or statutory entitlement to extended breaks,” she explains.

“Any leave taken beyond statutory entitlements, such as annual leave, is typically regarded as unpaid leave in accordance with Article 33 of the UAE Labour Law. While employees may legally take unpaid leave, such requests are subject to the employer’s discretion and require approval.”

If an employee resigns to pursue micro-retirement, the employment contract is terminated, and the employer is under no legal obligation to rehire the employee in the future unless specific contractual agreements are in place (such as return-to-work arrangements), which are generally uncommon, Ms Loku adds.

Updated: November 02, 2021, 7:20 AM