Cairo:Egypt will host the 18th United Nations Conference of the Parties to Combat Desertification (COP18) in 2028, as announced by the Agriculture Ministry. This significant event will take place against the backdrop of increasing climate challenges in North Africa, including land degradation and water scarcity.

According to State Information Service Egypt, Agriculture Minister Alaa Farouk met with Yasmine Fouad, the Executive Secretary of the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD), in Cairo. The meeting aimed to finalize logistics and establish a joint executive committee responsible for overseeing the preparations for the summit.

The upcoming summit will provide Egypt an opportunity to highlight its initiatives in land reclamation and food security, with the Desert Research Center serving as the national focal point. Former UN climate chief Yasmine Fouad commended Egypt's expertise in managing arid lands, as both parties agreed to synchronize their technical and operational strategies in preparation for the event.