Egypt will host the 18th United Nations Conference of the Parties to Combat Desertification (COP18) in 2028, the Agriculture Ministry said on Tuesday, October 27, 2026.
Agriculture Minister Alaa Farouk met the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD) Executive Secretary Yasmine Fouad in Cairo to finalize logistics and establish a joint executive committee overseeing preparations for the summit.
The summit comes as North Africa faces escalating climate risks, land degradation, and water scarcity. Egypt plans to showcase its land reclamation and food security initiatives during the event, with the Desert Research Center acting as national focal point.
Former UN climate chief Fouad praised Egypt’s expertise in arid land management as both sides agreed to align technical and operational strategies ahead of the summit.