Elizabeth Carabine: Egypt's presidency of COP27 is very important; it is a voice for Africa

Elizabeth Carabine, Climate Security Advisor to the UN Special Envoy for the Horn of Africa

“I thank the Egyptian government for hosting us. This summit is very important. Egypt's presidency of this summit is very important. I saw Egypt myself play an important role in the past year in many international gatherings. Egypt shows a strong commitment to these issues at the highest political levels.” With these words, Elizabeth Carabine, Climate Security Advisor to the UN Special Envoy for the Horn of Africa, expressed her great admiration for Egypt's interest in climate change and its continuous keenness in developing solutions to save the planet.

Carabine added during her interview with Al-Bawaba News, “Perhaps this is the last chance for us to achieve the goals that were set in Paris in 2015. No one wants this summit to fail, and we will see serious and difficult discussions until the last minute at the summit, and I hope that this leads to success in the end.”

Following is the text of the interview:

What is the significance of the Climate Change Summit?

This summit is very important. There are many topics of interest that will be discussed in the meetings. The past two years have been very difficult for the international community, and this summit gives the opportunity for this community to come back and take decisions collectively. We also know from the speech of the Secretary-General of the United Nations and also the rest of the speakers yesterday that time is running out quickly. Perhaps this is the last chance for us to achieve the goals that were set in Paris in 2015.

What is the importance of Egypt's presidency of this summit in your opinion?

Egypt’s presidency of this summit is very important. I am sure that you have heard about the real issues of climate justice and that developing countries, especially African ones, get their fair share from the Paris Agreement in relation to the necessary funding. Egypt is playing a heroic role in shedding light on this, as it is an audible voice for African countries, and this is essential in the current discussions. I have seen Egypt myself play an important role in the past year in many international gatherings, and it shows a strong commitment to these issues at the highest political levels.

What do you suggest to solve the problem of climate change?

There are many proposed solutions to solve the problem of climate change. There is a need for financing. There is already financing, but it does not rise to the level that enables people to adapt appropriately. In fact, the issue of adaptation is my first concern, but there is a need to accelerate the pace of work in this framework, and for this I say one of the important solutions is for people to start working now, not just talking.

Do you think that this summit will result in important decisions?

I think expectations and hopes are high. Of course, there will be obvious difficulties in relation to some issues, but we must know that all the world leaders here and everyone has a clear commitment. No one wants this summit to fail, and we will see serious and difficult discussions until the last minute at the summit. I hope this leads to success in the end.

Is this your first time to visit Egypt or have you visited it before?

This is my first visit to Egypt and Sharm El-Sheikh, which is a beautiful city, and I find it very easy to move from one place to another in the city. I look forward to diving into all the details of the summit, and I thank the Egyptian government for hosting us.