COP 27: Gabonese President Ali Bongo Ondimba among the most expected heads of state

Ali Bongo Ondimba and Abdel Fatah Al-Sisisi on February 18, 2016 in Cairo © DR

Considered as one of the most involved world leaders in the fight against global warming and for the preservation of the environment, President Ali Bongo Ondimba has just arrived this Saturday, November 5 in Sharm El-Sheikh, Egypt. He will attend the 27th Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP 27) for three days, from 5 to 7 November 2022, the Gabonese Presidency confirmed in a press release.

Among the issues to be addressed as a priority at this COP 27, «the urgent reduction of greenhouse gas emissions, the strengthening of resilience and adaptation to the inevitable consequences of climate change», as well as «the respect of commitments for financing climate action in developing countries», says the Presidency’s press release.

Gabon will place particular emphasis on «issues of finance and adaptation» as developed countries committed in 2009 to mobilise $100 billion to support climate action in developing countries. «COP 27 will aim to materialise the financial pledges expected by all Parties,» the Presidency of the Republic believes.

During this event, President Ali Bongo Ondimba will deliver a speech to his peers. He will also take part in round tables, notably on the future of the Congo Basin forests.

Biden, Modi, Sunak, Macron…

Known for his long-standing commitment to the environment, the Gabonese president will be one of the most eagerly awaited participants in this COP 27, which is also expected to be attended by the American Joe Biden, the Indian Narendra Modi, the British Rishi Sunak and the French Emmanuel Macron.

Gabon is one of the most committed countries in the fight against global warming. Eighty-eight percent of its territory is covered by the equatorial forest, the world’s second largest green lung. The Gabonese authorities are implementing a series of public policies, considered exemplary, aimed at preserving the forest, the ocean and biodiversity.