DUBAI, Aug. 26 (Xinhua) -- Egyptian Minister of International Cooperation Rania Al-Mashat highlighted the importance of the upcoming 28th Conference of the Parties (COP28) of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change as a major global platform to address pressing climate issues.
In a statement to the United Arab Emirates (UAE) official news agency WAM, Al-Mashat emphasized that COP28, along with its previous edition of COP27 hosted by Egypt, aims to support climate action in the Middle East and North Africa and attract international attention to this critical region.
She added that various international reports indicate that the region is highly susceptible to climate change risks, as over half of its population already lives under severe water stress, reported WAM on Saturday.
The minister stated that she has actively taken part in a series of preparatory events in a bid to chart a roadmap for regional climate action in the lead-up to COP28.
Al-Mashat said COP28 will coordinate global efforts to assist developing countries and emerging economies in their transition towards sustainability, citing key outcomes of COP27 which encompass the establishment of the COP27 Loss and Damage Fund aimed at extending financial aid to most climate-vulnerable countries.
COP28 is due to be held in UAE's Dubai from Nov. 30 to Dec. 12. ■