UAE, Egypt sign major wind energy deal on COP27

The UAE and Egypt entered into an agreement to build one of the world's largest wind farms in Egypt, on the sidelines of UN's annual climate summit.

Emirati President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al-Nahyan joined his Egyptian counterpart Abdel-Fattah El-Sisi at the signing of the agreement between the UAE's Masdar renewable energy firm and Egypt's Infinity Power and Hassan Allam Utilities.

In a statement on Twitter, Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed said the deal was "consistent with our commitment to advance renewable energy solutions that support sustainable development".

"We will endeavour to take forward the gains made here at COP27, as the UAE prepares to host COP28 next year," WAM quoted Emirati industry minister Sultan Ahmed Al Jaber as saying.

More than 120 world leaders are expected to attend Cop27 in Sharm El Sheikh. This year, the summit will be focusing on four areas of the climate crisis: mitigation, adaptation, finance, and collaboration.

Cop26, which took place last year in the Scottish city of Glasgow, resulted in the Glasgow Pact, which committed participants to lower carbon emissions.

However, the UN has given a warning that the world is “doomed” unless a “historic pact” is signed between rich and poor countries.

Cop27 began with a speech by Cop26 president Alok Sharma to mark the formal handover to Egypt.