Salaheddine Mezouar, President of COP22 and Minister of Foreign Affairs and Cooperation gave a press conference in New York on preparations for COP22 on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly in New York to inform international media on the preparations and challenges of COP22 that will be held in Marrakech. The President of COP22 highlighted the importance of the context in which the next COP will take place, which, he said, comes after “the historic moment we experienced yesterday by exceeding the number of countries required for entry into force of the Paris Agreement with 60 countries confirming their continued commitment in the fight against the effects of climate change. ”
Salaheddine Mezouar also outlined the priorities of the Marrakech conference. He specified that the COP22 will be “a conference of action for the least developed countries, especially island countries which are the first to be affected by the effects of climate change. “The African dimension of the Marrakech COP will also be a major topic. According to the Minister, “Africa is one of the most affected regions by climate change, and one that needs the most assistance and financial support to strengthen its ability to adapt.”
“Morocco has never left Africa, and it will do everything in its power to make this 22th Conference of the Parties the COP of Africa,” he added, answering a question on the return of Morocco in the African union.
Remember, the negotiations that will take place during the COP22 will be focused primarily on the subjects of climate finance, particularly those related to raising $ 100 billion a year to finance adaptation and mitigation projects. The Conference will also adress the agenda for action, support tools for developing countries, as well as technology transfer and mobilization of countries that have not yet ratified the Paris Agreement.
Regarding preparations for the COP22, the Chairman of the Steering Committee noted that the city of Marrakech was ready to host the conference. He also reported that “COP22 will be an opportunity to strengthen confidence in the future and the starting point of the implementation of the Paris Agreement.”
