As Prepared for Delivery

Professor Mohamed Loutfi, President and Vice-Chancellor of BUE,

Excellency Dr. Ahmed Rostom, Minister of Planning and Economic Development, 

Excellency Dr. Manal Awad, Minister of Local Development and Environment,

Excellency Ambassador Wael Abouelmagd, Assistant Minister of Foreign Affairs for Climate, Environment and Sustainable Development,

Excellency Ambassador Salih Mutlu Şen (Shen), Ambassador of Türkiye to Egypt,

Ms. Nicole Cooper, Chargé d'Affaires of the Embassy of Australia to Egypt,

Ambassadors, Excellencies, distinguished guests, and partners,

And most importantly, our young climate leaders and COP31 Simulation delegates,

It is a pleasure to be here with you today on behalf of the United Nations Development Programme in Egypt.

Before I begin, I would like to express my sincere appreciation to the British University in Egypt for our continued partnership, and to our guest experts and trainers who made this COP Simulation possible.

It marks the fifth edition of our joint climate simulation initiative between the British University in Egypt and UNDP. 

Over the last five years, this partnership has grown into an important global platform. It is a partnership built on a shared, fundamental belief, that young people are not simply observers to climate challenges or bystanders to the decisions being made— they have a critical and meaningful role in shaping and delivering the solutions.

By combining academic excellence with international development expertise, we have built a platform that equips young climate leaders with negotiation, diplomacy, and analytical skills and gives them the opportunity to put these skills into practice.

Looking at YOU today, after days of intense debate, drafting, and consensus-building, it is clear that you have moved beyond learning about climate diplomacy.  You have practiced it.

Over the past days, you wrestled with the very same complexities that global leaders face while negotiating some of the most challenging issues before us: how to mitigate and adapt to climate change, and how to finance climate action. 

You experienced firsthand, how difficult it is to balance national interests with global ambition, and local realities.

You also discovered that consensus is difficult, but possible. And that diplomacy matters.

The issues you debated here are not just academic exercises. They are the defining challenges of our time. 

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At UNDP, we do not view climate change as an environmental issue only. It is fundamentally a development challenge - one that affects livelihoods and jobs, food and water security, health, and the prospects of future generations. 

Climate change is also a gender challenge as it disproportionately affects women and girls. 

This is why UNDP works to integrate climate action into development—from national policies and financing to local solutions that strengthen climate resilience and lead to sustainable development. 

Because climate action ultimately has to translate into better lives, and more resilient communities. 

Because women’s inclusion must lead to more influence over the decisions, resources, and systems to address climate change, and towards greater gender equality. 

But policies, finance, and technical solutions alone will not deliver this transition. We also need people with the skills, ideas, and determination to lead it. That is why investing in young people – all of you - and providing opportunities to practice negotiation, policymaking, and leadership - is so important.

The simulation exercise reflected this reality. You experienced that policy, economics, and technology must come together to create solutions that work for people and communities. 

As the gavel comes down on this COP31 Simulation, remember this: 

Today marks the end of this Simulation exercise, but it also marks the beginning of what you do with this experience - to COP31 in Antalya, and beyond. 

Take the negotiation skills, innovative ideas, and knowledge you have developed, and apply them in your universities, careers, and communities – with the conviction and confidence you have gained. 

The climate future will not only be shaped in negotiating rooms like the ones you simulated this week. It will also be shaped in academia, businesses, governments, and communities—and through the choices each of you make as an individual.

Congratulations everyone! 

We are proud of what you have achieved through this CoP31 Simulation, and we are excited that you are on your journey to become leaders and partners towards a more sustainable and resilient future.

Thank you.