CAIRO — In addition to the political, economic and social problems plaguing the people of the Middle East and Africa, climate change was also on political leaders’ agenda during the UN meeting Sept. 25 in New York. The issue was given a great deal of attention, amid mounting warnings by scientists that the potential risks posed by climate change need to be addressed.

Climate change draws the attention of Egyptian politicians from time to time, particularly in terms of the risks posed to water and food security. During a Sept. 26 meeting of the Committee of African Heads of State and Government on Climate Change in New York, Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi called for a joint African stance on climate change to be submitted to the UN Climate Change Conference, which will be held in France in December.

Environment Minister Khaled Fahmy told Al-Monitor, “Egypt did not have a major role in the negative environmental impact, as it contributes to only 0.5% of the world total carbon dioxide [C0₂] emissions. Nevertheless, it is among the countries that are most at risk of sinking into the Mediterranean Sea.”

Fahmy added, “Based on Egypt’s aspirations [to increase] economic development, the government’s stance in the international negotiations on climate change tends to focus on solutions to adapt to the climate change impact, while not committing to the decisions and actions to reduce C0₂ emissions,” which are included in the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change.