16 January 2015: Addressing the Committee of Permanent Representatives of the UN Environment Programme (UNEP), the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Egypt called for the post-2015 development agenda to be supported by “clear means of implementation (MOI) that can guarantee success.” Giving a special address to the CPR’s 129th Session, Sameh Shoukry cautioned against agreements with commitments that cannot be implemented, and recommended a post-2015 process that completes the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) and draws lessons learned from their implementation.

He further recommended that Parties address “balance and realism” as they work to agree upon a new development agenda and reach consensus on a universal and legally binding climate change agreement under the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC).

Shoukry also expressed Egypt’s full support for UNEP, particularly on efforts to address environmental challenges in developing countries and on issues of drought and desertification. He recommended addressing desertification as part of sustainable development financing in the context of outcomes related to the UN Conference on Sustainable Development (UNCSD, or Rio+20).

Egypt will coordinate the Committee of African Heads of State and Government on Climate Change, and host the 15th Session of the African Ministerial Conference on the Environment (AMCEN).

UNEP’s Governing Council (now the UN Environment Assembly) established the CPR as a subsidiary organ to, inter alia: provide advice on policy matters; prepare decisions for adoption and oversee their implementation; and convene thematic or programmatic debates. [UNEP Press Release] [CPR Website] [AMCEN Website]