Ten countries of the Eastern Mediterranean and Middle East (EMME) region adopted a declaration  to officially launch the EMME Climate Change Initiative (EMME-CCI). The accomplishment of this historic milestone in the race to address the climate crisis was announced at a Summit that took place on 8 November 2022 as a sideline event at COP27, in Sharm El Sheikh, Egypt. 

The EMME-CCI Declaration was adopted by Bahrain, Cyprus, Egypt, Greece, Iraq, Israel, Jordan, Lebanon, Oman, and the State of Palestine. 

The Summit was co-hosted by the President of the Republic of Cyprus, Mr Nicos Anastasiades and the President of Egypt, Mr Abdel Fatah el Sisi, and was attended by heads of state or government and other high-ranking government officials and organization representatives.  

Participants

EMME countries  

• CYPRUS – President, Mr Nicos Anastasiades 

• EGYPT – President, Mr Abdel Fatah al Sisi 

• IRAQ – President, Mr Abdul Latif Rashid 

• STATE OF PALESTINE – Prime Minister Dr Mohammed Shtayyeh 

• GREECE – Prime Minister, Mr Kyriakos Mitsotakis 

• LEBANON – Prime Minister, Mr Najib Mikati 

• JORDAN – Prime Minister, Bisher Al Khasawneh 

• ISRAEL – Minister of Environmental Protection, Ms Tamar Zandberg 

• OMAN – Minister of Oil, Mr Mohammed bin Hamad al-Rumhi 

• BAHRAIN – Minister of Sustainable Development, Ms Noor bint Ali Al Khelif 

 Observers

• COP26 REGIONAL AMBASSADOR FOR THE MIDDLE EAST AND AFRICA, Ms Janet Rogan 
• FAO – Deputy Director General, Ms Maria Helena Semedo
• HOLY SEE – Prime Minister, Cardinal Pietro Parolin 
• SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT SOLUTIONS NETWORK – President, Mr Jeffrey Sachs 
• UNECE – Executive Secretary, Ms Olga Algayerova
• UNION FOR THE MEDITERRANEAN –  Secretary General, Mr Nasser Kamel
• USA – Deputy Special Envoy, Ms Sue Biniaz 
• WMO – Secretary General, Mr Petteri Taalas (also on behalf of UNSG)

The adoption of the Political Declaration earmarks the official launch of the Initiative which has been undertaken by Cyprus since 2019. It constitutes a historic milestone for the region’s resilience and prosperity, as it notes the willingness of the undersigned countries to act in a coordinated way to achieve concerted action for the mitigation and adaptation of the climate crisis in the EMME. 

Speaking at the event, President Anastasiades warmly thanked President el-Sisi for hosting and co-organizing the sideline Summit and welcomed participants for the adoption of the EMME-CCI. He stressed that their presence at the Summit is indicative of the collective determination to address the dire effects of climate change in the EMME and that through the scientific work that has been made available through the EMME-CCI, countries of the region now have a better understanding of how the crisis will unfold in the near future, and which actions to implement to address it. 

On his part, the President of Egypt, speaking through an interpreter said, among other things, that Egypt was very eager to participate in this initiative, adding that the EMME region is a climate change hot spot with consequences at all levels. He added that the initiative is a major global mechanism when it comes to actions to deal with the impact of climate change. He noted the Importance of such initiatives, pointing out that the scientific component this initiative includes is indispensable. Concluding he said that he looks forward to learning more about the initiative and the actions it includes, noting the common interests and collaboration between Cyprus and Egypt. 

The President of Iraq Mr Abdul Latif Rashid, the Prime Minister of Greece, Mr Kyriakos Mitsotakis, the Prime Minister and Minister of Defence of Jordan, Dr Bisher al Khasawneh, the  Prime Minister of the State of Palestine, Mr Mohammad Shtayyah, the Minister of Environmental Protection of Israel, Mrs Tamar Zandberg, the Secretary General of WMO Professor Petteri Talas, the Secretary General of the Union for the Mediterranean Mr Nasser Kamel, the President of the UN Sustainable Development Solutions Network (UN SDSN), Mr Jeffrey Sachs, the Executive Secretary of the UN Economic Cooperation for Europe, Mrs Olga Algayerova, the COP 26 Regional Ambassador for the Middle East and Africa, Mrs Janet Rogan and the Deputy Director General of FAO, Mrs Maria Helena Semedo, also addressed the event. 

The Minister of Agriculture, Rural Development and the Environment Mr Costas Kadis, and the Presidential Envoy of Cyprus on Climate Change, Prof Costas Pananicolas, made presentations on the Cyprus initiative, and its policies and actions, respectively. 

Following the adoption of the declaration, the focus of the EMME-CCI remains firmly on the coordination of transboundary mitigation and adaptation activities towards the goals of the Paris Agreement, and a safer future for the people of the EMME region. 

More information about the Summit in the 8/11/2022  Press Release  of the Cyprus Government Press and Information Office  .