Sisi attends luncheon on climate change

Egyptian President Abdel Fatah El Sisi on Sunday took part in a luncheon that was hosted by UN chief Ban Ki-moon.

Sisi and world leaders including French President Francois Hollande discussed at the event climate change.

Sisi delivered a speech to cast light on Egypt's initiatives that have been adopted by a meeting of the Committee of African Heads of State and Government on Climate Change (CAHOSCC)an African panel on climate change.

The event is part of the international efforts ahead of the Paris climate summit by the end of the year.

During the CAHOSCC meeting, President Abdel Fatah El Sisi said he 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).

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.

During the meeting, Sisi has launched an initiative on renewable energy in Africa.

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

During the committee meeting, another initiative was launched to rally international efforts to help Africa cope with climate change.