Egyptian Petroleum and Mineral Resources Tarek El-Molla and Amani Abou-Zeid, AU Commissioner for Infrastructure and Energy during a meeting in Cairo on Wednesday 27 July 2022 (Photo: Egyptian Ministry of Petroleum and Mineral Resources)

Egypt and the African Union (AU) are seeking to develop a unified vision for energy transformation in the continent ahead of the 27th UN Conference of the Parties (COP27) on climate change, slated for November in the Egyptian Red Sea resort city of Sharm El-Sheikh.

The joint vision is set to be submitted during the annual climate event, according to a statement on Wednesday by the Egyptian Ministry of Petroleum and Mineral Resources. 

The statement was issued following a meeting in Cairo between Egyptian Minister of Petroleum Tarek El-Molla and Amany Abu Zeid, AU Commissioner for Infrastructure and Energy.

Egypt and the AU should cooperate towards "a unified African position on fair energy transition" ahead of COP27, El-Molla said.

He stressed the necessity of "providing the large and growing needs of African countries to help achieve sustainable development," the statement added.

Egypt has vowed to speak for Africa's aspirations in addressing climate change at the COP27.

Abu Zeid said African countries should enhance cooperation, particularly in the field of energy, given the fundamental role of this sector in achieving stability and development.

While asserting that oil and gas are important sources of energy for African countries that contribute to sustainable development, she noted the importance of transitioning to renewable energy sources as per a timetable that corresponds to the conditions and priorities of each country. 

The AU commissioner urged developing a unified African strategy for energy transformation, underscoring the importance of supporting integration among African countries to secure energy sources through integrated systems.

These would contribute to opening new markets and exploiting all available economic opportunities, she added.

Hopes are pinned on COP27 to turn climate-related pledges into action to move to green energy to reduce harmful gas emissions and global warming and adapt to climate change as per the Paris Agreement.

The Paris Agreement — adopted at COP21 and signed by over 190 states including Egypt — came into effect in 2016 with the aim of limiting the rise in temperature to 1.5 degrees Celsius. 

Climate finance has been debated at every COP meeting since developed countries failed to meet their promise to mobilise $100 billion annually by 2020 to help developing nations with mitigation and adaptation measures. 

Africa produces no more than three percent of the world’s total greenhouse-gas emissions that cause global warming, according to experts.