On behalf of Mr. Alaa Farouk, Minister of Agriculture and Land Reclamation, Dr. Hossam Shawky, President of Desert Research Center and National Coordinator for the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification, participated as part of a high-level Egyptian delegation headed by Dr. Hani Sweilem, Minister of Water Resources and Irrigation, in the opening of the high-level segment of the meetings of the Parties to the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification, in the Mongolian capital, Ulaanbaatar.
The meetings were officially opened by the President of Mongolia, with broad participation from heads of state, ministers, and official delegations.
Egypt’s participation comes within the framework of its ongoing efforts to strengthen international and regional cooperation on issues of desertification, drought, and the sustainable management of land and natural resources.
As part of the conference’s parallel events, Dr. Hossam Shawky, accompanied by Dr. Hani Sweilem, inaugurated the official Egyptian pavilion at the accompanying exhibition. The pavilion hosted a number of specialized events and activities in collaboration with several international and regional organizations, most notably the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), the Arab Center for the Studies of Arid Zones and Dry Lands (ACSAD), and the Observatory of Sahara and Sahel (OSS). These events showcased key joint initiatives and projects, as well as future visions for addressing environmental challenges.
Dr. Shawky also visited the Arab pavilions to learn about the most prominent activities, initiatives, and projects presented by Arab countries in the areas of combating desertification, sustainable land management, and addressing drought and climate change. He emphasized the importance of strengthening Arab coordination and cooperation, and exchanging expertise and successful experiences in these fields.
