Lead:
Prime Minister Mustafa Madbouli met today at the New Administrative Capital with Dr. Yasmine Fouad, UN Under-Secretary-General and Executive Secretary of the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification, to review preparations for Egypt's upcoming role as host of COP18 in 2028. The government reaffirmed its commitment to supporting the convention secretariat and advancing sustainable development goals amid mounting environmental challenges facing the region.
Details:
During the meeting, Egyptian officials reviewed logistical and diplomatic preparations for hosting the conference, which represents a significant international commitment for the country. According to multiple local reporting sources, Madbouli emphasized Egypt's sustained dedication to strengthening cooperation frameworks with the convention's secretariat, positioning the conference as a platform for advancing climate adaptation and water resource management across the broader Middle East and North Africa.
In parallel discussions, Water Resources and Irrigation Minister Hani Swailem engaged Fouad on mobilizing international financing mechanisms for water-related projects in support of Egypt's drought response and climate resilience efforts. Swailem, speaking at the ninth Cairo Water Week forum, highlighted the strategic importance of leveraging available international funding tools to strengthen Egypt's capacity to manage water scarcity and adapt to climate variability. The government is simultaneously working to identify and prepare bankable water infrastructure projects eligible for multilateral development finance.
The two-track approach—diplomatic preparation for COP18 and concurrent financing outreach—reflects Egypt's dual strategy: positioning itself as a regional leader in desertification and water policy while securing the technical and financial resources required to implement adaptation initiatives domestically before hosting the conference.
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