In implementation of the assignments of the Minister of Agriculture and Land Reclamation, Alaa Farouk, to Desert Research Center to follow up and implement the national obligations imposed by the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (the national coordinating body for the Convention), Dr. Ahmed Abdel Aati – Professor at DRC and Egypt’s representative in Science and Technology Committee of the Convention, chairman of the African Committee and Vice Chairman of the Committee internationally, attended the preparatory meeting of the African Group and the tenth special session of the African Ministers of Environment AMCEN, as a representative of the Egyptian Ministry of Agriculture and Land Reclamation, and on behalf of Dr. Hosam Shawky – President of Desert Research Center, and National Focal Point of the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification(UNCCD) in Egypt.
The meeting aimed to reach the unified African position on drought issues, as well as discuss issues related to the budget and support for affected African parties
Abdel Ati pointed out that the African team succeeded in reaching an agreement on these issues, and a memorandum was submitted with a draft resolution from the AMCEN containing thirteen items, to support the African negotiator in achieving environmental resource sustainability, achieving food security, combating poverty, and empowering women and youth
He added that the African Environment Ministers Council responded to the African group’s request, and the Egyptian delegation and its intensive activity had a significant impact in achieving goals
It is worth noting that the Arab Republic of Egypt was also elected to chair the African negotiators on issues related to the Science and Technology Committee, and to be a member of the African negotiators’ committees on budget issues.
