(Communicated by the President’s Spokesperson)
President Isaac Herzog on Monday addressed the 27th United Nations Climate Change conference at Sharm el-Sheikh, Egypt. Following are excerpts from his speech:
“With studies forecasting imminent, severe consequences for our region, the Middle East is on the brink of catastrophe. Here in Sharm el-Sheikh I wish to reiterate the State of Israel’s solid commitment... to achieving net zero carbon emissions and to transitioning from fossil fuels to renewable energy by 2050. But Israel is prepared to assume far greater responsibility. Israel is prepared to lead the effort toward regional climate resilience...
"I the foreseeable future, the solar energy produced in the deserts of the Middle East will be available for export to Europe, Asia, and Africa. For example, Israel and Greece are already working on electricity connectors to supply green electricity from Israel to Europe...
“In a region undergoing accelerated desertification, Israel also has the capability and know-how to deflect severe water shortages and to offer solutions to food insecurity... this state of emergency demands we work together. Not tomorrow: today. Let us turn the climate emergency into an opportunity to address twentieth-century conflicts, thereby advancing desperately needed twenty-first-century collaborations...
"And as our Holy Bible says, ‘God settled man in the Garden of Eden, to till it and tend it.’ Let us save the world God gave us, for we have all been created in His image. Thank you.”
Meeting world leaders
President Herzog is heading the Israeli delegation to the 2022 U.N. Climate Change Conference (COP27). Prior to leaving President Herzog said, “The Middle East faces mighty challenges. ... climate is at the top of the State of Israel’s priorities. It is connected to the future of our children and future generations. We must do everything to do our part to save humankind.”
The President is holding diplomatic meetings with COP27 participants and inaugurated the first-ever Israeli pavilion at a COP summit.
Upon his arrival, President Herzog was received by the President of the Arab Republic of Egypt, Abdel Fattah el-Sisi, after which he met the President of the United Arab Emirates, Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Norwegian Prime Minister, Jonas Gahr Støre, the Prime Minister of the United Kingdom, Rishi Sunak, and then with the King of Jordan, Abdullah II. At the meeting, the President and King Abdullah discussed trilateral Israel-UAE-Jordan cooperation on energy and water, as well as the southern Jordan River rehabilitation project. They also discussed the advancement of Israeli-Jordanian relations and regional issues. Later, Herzog also met with Colombian President Gustavo Petro Microsoft President, Brad Smith.
Israel-UK: Iran on their mind
Meeting UK PM Rishi Sunak for the first time today, the two leaders noted developments fostered by the Abraham Accords. They also discussed security challenges, chiefly the Iranian nuclear project. The President congratulated Britain's new Prime Minister and said: "Mr. Sunak is a great friend of Israel, and the United Kingdom and Israel have an incredible relationship, which has developed throughout the years. We have so much to speak about from climate change to economic development and cooperation, security challenges, and of course maintaining regional stability."
In reply, Prime Minister Rishi Sunak thanked the President and said: "As you've said,... Israel is one of our closest friends, our closest allies, and there is an enormous amount for us to continue working on together, whether it's economic cooperation, security cooperation, or indeed climate change, that we're here discussing. So I look forward to our time together. We should get to work!"
First Israeli Pavilion at a COP Summit
At his inauguration of the Israeli pavilion - the first at a COP summit - members of the Israeli delegation and government ministers were present, including, Environmental Protection Minister Tamar Zandberg; Education Minister Yifat Shasha-Biton; Innovation, Science and Technology Minister Orit Farkash-Hacohen; and Regional Cooperation Minister Issawi Frej.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs promoted the construction of one of the largest pavilions at the conference and Israel is represented at the highest level by President Isaac Herzog and many senior officials from both the public and private sectors.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs delegation is headed by MFA Director-General Alon Ushpiz, MFA Special Envoy for Climate Change Gideon Bachar, head of the MFA’s UN and International Organizations Division and responsible for the Israeli representation at the conference, Amir Weisbrod, Israel’s Ambassador to Egypt Amira Oron. and others.
MFA Dir-Gen Ushpiz has emphasized that "the Ministry of Foreign Affairs has made it a central goal to lead the fight against climate change in the international arena. ... The Israeli knowledge and technology that we are promoting around the world will help us be a significant factor in dealing with the global climate crisis, with an emphasis on our own region. We will be coming ... to Abu Dhabi next year with a concept of regional cooperation with allies, both old and new.”