President Abdel Fattah El Sisi said Friday that Egypt, as the incoming president to COP27, is calling for intensifying international efforts aimed at protecting oceans and seas from the consequences of climate change.

Addressing the audience in the ‘One Ocean’ summit, Sisi thanked French President Emmanuel Macron for inviting him to this event in such a critical time, as the issue of climate change and its negative ramifications has become a focal point for the entire world.

Oceans represent 70 percent of the Planet Earth, are vital for international trade movement and navigation and are a key source for food and natural resources.

Located along the Mediterranean and Red seas, Egypt understands very well indeed the importance of the seas and oceans, Sisi said, noting that its unique location has had a great influence on its extended civilization, especially after the digging the Suez Canal, which is seen as one of the most vital global waterways.

Egypt, for a long time, has taken part in outlining the legal frameworks and regulating the economic activity related to seas and oceans in order to ensure the sustainability of marine resources and protect them from all kinds of pollution, the president said.

Egypt is taking serious steps for clean energy transition, including the expansions in producing green hydrogen, to lower the emissions of the maritime sector, he added.

At the international level, Egypt, during its presidency to the Conference of the Parties to the Convention on Biological Diversity, pushed for launching negotiations for the purpose of setting new goals for protecting the environment, led by those of seas and oceans, Sisi said.

He pointed out that climate change remains a major tough challenge facing the world due to its effects, not only the oceans and seas, but also on life on the whole planet.

Source: State Information Service Egypt