President Abdel Fattah El Sisi headed on Friday 11/2/2022 to the northwestern port city of Brest in France to participate in the One Ocean Summit.

An initiative from French President Emmanuel Macron, the One Ocean Summit held in the context of the French Presidency of the EU Council, with the support of the United Nations.

In statements on Friday, Presidential Spokesman Bassam Radi said that President Sisi's participation in this important event comes at an invitation of French President Emmanuel Macron.

President Sisi will participate in the summit among a limited number of heads of state and government, who are interested in international action to face environmental degradation, and in light of the strong and growing ties between Egypt and France, the spokesman said.

The president's participation in the summit is out of Egypt's vital role at the regional and international levels and its efforts and initiatives to confront the phenomenon of climate change and protect the marine environment, which will culminate in hosting UN Climate Change Conference 2022 (UNFCCC COP 27) in the Red Sea resort of Sharm El-Sheikh in November, the spokesman added.

During the One Ocean Summit, the President will focus on the impact of climate change on the ecological balance in the seas, oceans and coastal areas, he noted.

President Sisi will also shed light on Egypt's intention to discuss the role that oceans can play in reducing emissions and contributing to building low-carbon economies during the 27th session of the Conference of the Parties (COP 27) to the UNFCCC, he added.

Egypt will also stress the importance of enhancing efforts to reduce emissions from the shipping sector, a matter that will contribute to the implementation of the goals of the Paris Agreement, which is a legally binding international treaty on climate change. It was adopted at COP-21 in Paris, the spokesman said.

He further underlined that President Sisi is scheduled to have a summit with the French president to discuss means of boosting bilateral relations.

The two leaders will also continue consultations and coordination on a host of regional and international issues of mutual interest, the spokesman added.

The One Ocean Summit will bring together scientists, political leaders and stakeholders ready to commit to concrete action to improve the ocean environment.

Through workshops, forums and events, the Summit will discuss the issues affecting the ocean and how to overcome them.

During the Summit

Egyptian President Abdel Fattah El Sisi underlined the important position of the European Union (EU) within the framework of the Egyptian policy.

He added that the EU is a key partner in the modernization process of various development sectors in Egypt.

Sisi made the remarks on Friday during a meeting in Brest with European Commission President Ursual Von Del Leyen, Egypt's Presidential Spokesman Bassam Radi said.

President of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen hailed as "historic and distinguished" relations between the European Union and Egypt, emphasizing the European side's interest in developing its traditional partnership with Egypt in the coming stage, especially in light of Egypt’s political weight at the regional and international levels.

She also pointed out to Egypt’s role as a link between the Arab world and Europe, noting that the country is a main source of maintaining security and stability in the region.

The meeting between Sisi and von der Leyen touched on various aspects of relations between Cairo and the European Union, whether with regard to the political, economic and development areas, or in relation to joint cooperation sectors, especially the new and renewable energy field, the presidential spokesman said.

The two sides also discussed coordination between Egypt and EU on several key international and regional issues in international forums.

The agenda of the meeting also included reviewing Egypt’s preparations for hosting the upcoming UN Climate Change Conference (COP27) in the Red Sea resort city of Sharm el Sheikh next November.