Egypt signs host agreement for Barcelona Convention COP24 in December

Egypt’s Minister of Local Development and acting Environment Minister Manal Awad has signed the Host Country Agreement for the 24th Conference of the Parties (COP24) to the Barcelona Convention, which Egypt will convene on 2-5 Dec., the government said on Tuesday.

Awad said the meeting will reinforce Egypt’s role in regional environmental and sustainable development efforts. The Barcelona Convention, aimed at protecting the Mediterranean, is implemented through seven protocols covering marine pollution, coastal zone management, biodiversity, hazardous waste and emergency response.

According to a government statement, the conference will launch the “Cairo Ministerial Declaration,” intended to strengthen cooperation among member states and promote sustainability, the blue economy, clean technologies, job creation and community participation.

COP24 will discuss marine and coastal protection, investment needs, biodiversity, resource management and mounting environmental pressures, including pollution, climate change and wildlife loss. An official website has been launched to provide information for participants, the statement added.

Attribution: Amwal Al Ghad English

Subediting: Y.Yasser