Egyptian President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi calls on international community to support global green recovery

The President of the Arab Republic of Egypt, Abdel Fattah El-Sisi, today called upon the international community, financial institutions and the private sector to come together to spark a “green recovery” to help meet the UN’s 2030 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

“A green recovery has become an urgent need, coming at the top of the government priorities around the world,” El-Sisi said in his presidential remarks to open the inaugural Egypt International Cooperation Forum (Egypt – ICF), which takes place in Cairo, Egypt, between 8-9 September, launched by the country’s Ministry of International Cooperation.

“We must not overlook the variation in social and economic conditions of emerging and developing countries – those that have been hit the hardest by the global pandemic, and this might hamper their ability to keep pace with the green recovery process.”

“It now requires the support of the international community and financial institutions to achieve the coveted goals of this agenda,” he said.

President El-Sisi said offsetting the impact of climate change is a top priority for Egypt, the region and beyond, elaborating that multilateral action is imperative.

“No government alone can make this recovery possible, and we see the role of the private sector as pivotal in order to move forward to a sustainable future,” he added, citing their ability to utilise blended finance, technology and digital transformation.

President El-Sisi reaffirmed Egypt’s commitment to the UN’s SDGs which, he said, are consistent with his nation’s own 2030 Vision launched in 2016. The environment, he said, is a main pillar of development that will preserve resources and safeguard the rights of future generations.

“The transition to a green economy will enhance the life of every Egyptian and enable them to fulfil their aspirations for a better tomorrow,” he said.

President El-Sisi concluded his remarks by stating that African integration, as set down by the African Union’s 2063 Agenda, is the best means for the continent to meet its sustainable development ambitions.

About the Egypt – International Cooperation Forum

The Egypt — International Cooperation Forum (Egypt — ICF) is a two-day global event that convenes the international community to drive a sustainable recovery through multilateralism.

Organized by Egypt’s Ministry of International Cooperation, the Forum is being held in Cairo, Egypt, between 8-9 September 2021 in a hybrid format – allowing both physical and virtual attendance.

The Egypt — ICF provides a unique global platform in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region, to bring together international policymakers, multilateral and bilateral development partners, private sector stakeholders, civil society and think tanks to collaboratively reboot international cooperation through economic diplomacy in the post-pandemic era.

The Forum aims to foster a collective international commitment to accelerate the transition to a green and inclusive global recovery, catalyze social mobility in Africa and tackle climate change.

The Egypt — ICF is co-organized with leading international development institutions, including: the United Nations, the World Bank Group, Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), the African Development Bank (AfDB), and the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD).