Dr. Ayman Ashour, Minister of Higher Education and Scientific Research, and Dr. Yasmine Fouad, Minister of Environment, participated in the opening of the Science Day activities, in the presence of a group of university presidents, experts and scientists, on the sidelines of Egypt`s hosting of COP27.
Dr. Ashour stressed the importance of holding the "Science Day", which is a clear message of the importance of science, the use of modern technologies and the intensification of applied scientific research, to confront the effects resulting from climate change, and threaten many countries of the world, referring to the efforts of Egyptian universities, institutes and research centers in supporting the climate change file, through the implementation of several important research projects, as well as educating university youth about the importance of this file, he praised the efforts of the political leadership, which places the climate change file on top of its priorities.
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Dr Yasmine Fouad stressed the importance of science as a weapon to address the effects of climate change, stressing that Egypt sends, through its launch of the "Science Day", an important message to the world about the importance of integration between science that provides evidence and figures and the government`s role in ensuring the integration and good management of the climate dimension. Also, she expressed her pride in establishing the Egyptian Center of Excellence for Climate Change Research.
The activities of the "Science Day" dealt with the organization of 10 sessions, in which many distinguished scientists globally and those interested in issues of climate change participated. Many Findings and reports were discussed, emphasizing the importance of regional and international partnerships between various research organizations and bodies, and the importance of relying on information technology and satellites in verifying the negative effects of climate change and how to adapt and reduce them, and provide some nature-based solutions to support green recovery opportunities and create green job opportunities sustainable and helps to overcome climate crises and the resulting economic, environmental, social and health consequences.
The first session dealt with the role of science, technology and innovation in assisting countries in confronting climate change through technologies and knowledge sharing.
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The session was moderated by Dr. Alyssa Gilbert, Coordinator of English Universities Networks, with the participation of Dr. Ayman Ashour, Minister of Higher Education and Scientific Research, and Dr. Mahmoud Mohieldin, Climate Leader for the Egyptian Presidency of the COP27 Conference and the United Nations Special Envoy for Financing the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, and Dr. Mahmoud Saqr, President of the Academy of Scientific Research and Technology and Scientific Coordinator of Science Day, and Dr. Reem Asaad, Vice President of Cisco for the Middle East and North Africa, and Dr. Hippolyte Vovac, Chief Economist and Director of Research and International Cooperation at the African Bank.
Reviewed by Dr. Ayman Ashour, the ministry’s strategic plan in the fields of higher education and scientific research to confront the effects of climate change, pointing to the need to reorient the compass of science, technology and innovation towards green research and innovations and to assist countries in confronting climate change, and to take the necessary amendments in programs and curricula in universities to raise awareness.
Dr. Mahmoud Mohieldin confirmed the need to fulfill pledges and support African capacity building in the field of science and technology, and called for the need to allocate a percentage of green finance pledges to support green research and innovations in the African continent, to support the efforts of the countries of the continent in overcoming the crises resulting from climate change.
Dr. Mahmoud Saqr explained that the African continent needs the efforts of its people, and to provide support to the countries of the continent most affected by climate change, to rebuild and develop their research capabilities in science and technology, especially advanced systems in the field of Remote sensing and monitoring of land, seas and oceans, pointing to the need to make information sources, databases and satellite images available free of charge, and to expedite the implementation of the UNESCO Open Science Initiative.
Dr. Reem Assaad reviewed Cisco`s efforts and programs to support research, development and digital transformation in the region and Africa, noting the company`s welcome to support all efforts aimed at finding practical solutions to the climate change file.
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The sessions witnessed the issuance of several important recommendations, including (reorienting the science and technology compass to green research and innovations, allocating a percentage of green funding pledges to green research and innovations in Africa, and accelerating the implementation of the UNESCO Open Science Initiative and expanding its objectives).