SHEIKH MOHAMED LEADS DELEGATION TO CAIRO TO STRENGTHEN TIES WITH EGYPT
▶ Abu Dhabi Crown Prince discusses regional and global affairs with Egypt’s president and Jordan’s King Abdullah
The UAE’s relationship with Egypt has deepened further with the visit of Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces, and government officials to Cairo.
Sheikh Mohamed met President Abdel Fattah El Sisi and Jordan’s King Abdullah II on Sunday to discuss strengthening joint Arab action and the importance of mutual co-ordination, news agency Wam reported.
He was accompanied on the visit by Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Presidential Affairs.
The three leaders spoke about recent disturbances in Jerusalem and its Al Aqsa Mosque, and stressed the need to stop any breaches of the sanctity of the site or changes to its status quo.
They also exchanged views on the latest regional and global developments, especially the war in Ukraine and its consequences.
The leaders called on all parties to end the conflict through diplomacy and dialogue. They expressed their concern over the worsening humanitarian situation in Ukraine and called for an urgent political solution, Wam reported.
Sheikh Mohamed was also joined by a delegation of government ministers and officials, including Dr Sultan Al Jaber, Minister of Industry and Advanced Technology and Special Envoy for Climate Change.
Dr Al Jaber met Mostafa Madbouly, Prime Minister of Egypt, yesterday to discuss opportunities for co-operation and joint investment in traditional and renewable energy, advanced industries, infrastructure, tourism, agriculture and other areas that contribute to sustainable economic growth.
Dr Al Jaber also met several ministers and officials in the Egyptian government, including Hala Elsaid, Minister of Planning and Economic Development, and Mohamed El Markabi, Minister of Electricity and Renewable Energy.
On Sunday, Dr Jaber met Egypt’s Foreign Minister, Sameh Shoukry, to discuss common goals as the Middle East neighbours prepare to host a global environment summit over the next two years.
Cop27, this year’s UN Climate Change Conference, will be held in Sharm El Sheikh, Egypt, in November, with the UAE hosting the event in 2023. Dr Al Jaber said he enjoyed encouraging talks with Mr Shoukry, the presidentdesignate for Cop27.
“It was a pleasure to meet with Sameh Shoukry, Foreign Minister of Egypt and Cop27 President-designate at Cop27,” Dr Al Jaber wrote on Twitter. “We had a positive discussion on common priorities and co-operation towards a successful Cop27 in Sharm El Sheikh.”
Meanwhile, Masdar, Abu Dhabi’s renewable energy company, and Hassan Allam Utilities have signed two preliminary agreements with Egyptian state-backed organisations to co-operate on developing green hydrogen production plants in the Suez Canal Economic Zone and on the Mediterranean coast.
“In the first phase of the project, Hassan Allam Utilities and Masdar aim to establish a green hydrogen manufacturing facility, which would be operational by 2026, producing 100,000 tonnes of e-methanol annually for bunkering in the Suez Canal,” said Amr Allam, chief executive of Hassan Allam Holding.
“The electrolyser facilities in the Suez Canal Economic Zone and on the Mediterranean could be extended to up to 4 gigawatts by 2030 to produce 2.3 million tonnes of green ammonia for export as well as supply green hydrogen for local industries.”
Dr Al Jaber, chairman of Masdar, said the agreements showed the strength of the UAE and Egypt’s relationship.
“These projects will build on the UAE’s and Masdar’s position as an early mover in the global hydrogen market and expand our capacity to deliver zero-carbon energy solutions,” he said.
“As our two countries prepare to host the next two Cops [UN climate conferences], we look forward to working with our partners in Egypt to make practical advances in the energy transition that will provide significant benefits for the economy and the climate.”
Also in the delegation to Egypt were Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohamed bin Zayed; Sheikh Mohammed bin Hamad, adviser for Special Affairs at the Ministry of Presidential Affairs; Dr Anwar Gargash, diplomatic adviser to the President, Sheikh Khalifa; Humaid Abushibs, chairman of the Abu Dhabi Accountability Authority; and Mariam Al Kaabi, the UAE’s ambassador to Egypt.