Sisi seeks legally binding international deal with climate change

President Abdel Fatah El Sisi seeks a legally binding international deal that will prod developed countries to help African states and other developing countries to face the challenges of climate change.

Sisi has called for reaching an international deal on climate change during Paris' Climate Change Conference (COP21), slated for December.

Sisi made the remarks on Friday while chairing a meeting of the Committee of African Heads of State and Government on Climate Change (CAHOSCC) on the fringe of the 70th session of the United Nations General Assembly in New York, Presidential Spokesman Alaa Youssef said.

The president underlined the importance of a unified African stance concerning the climate change issues to be able to defend the African continent as it is largely affected by greenhouse gas emissions of developed countries.

He said the new international deal should take into consideration the difference between the burdens of developed countries and developing states.

The deal should also focus on helping developing states to build up their capabilities and providing them with needed funds and technology to cope with climate change.

Sisi noted that he is proud that the African states have chosen Egypt to chair the CAHOSCC to defend the African nations' interests during international climate change negotiations.

Egypt has chaired the CAHOSCC in January and this is the second meeting held under Sisi chairmanship.

Sisi noted that Egypt organized during the past months several forums in collaboration with regional and international organizations to pinpoint African priorities in that concern.

Alaa Youssef noted that an initiative on renewable energy in Africa was launched during the committee meeting.

The overture is meant to diversify energy resources and depending on clean and renewable energy.

The conferees also launched another initiative for rallying international efforts to help Africa cope with climate change.