THE world’s eyes have turned to Glasgow as COP26 unfolds, but to read the global media you might think they are only interested in local news and how it affects their nations.
Some of the broadcasters and newspapers are not that much interested in COP26 itself, but in the many and varied sideshows.
Some of those are very important. Several sources reported on the meeting between Prime Minister Boris Johnson and Egyptian president Abdel-Fatah El-Sisi, with Austria’s chancellor Alexander Schallenberg also there.
They were discussing Libya, proof that other world crises have not gone away in the face of coronavirus and climate change, with a roadmap agreed for Libya’s hoped-for return to normality.
Libya Review reported that President El-Sisi reiterated full commitment to the roadmap and holding the Libyan elections on their scheduled date of December 24.
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Egyptian presidential spokesman Bassam Radi stated: “This is the beginning of a new era, the activation of the will of the Libyan people, and the beginning of the future.”
Libya Review said the president “reiterated Cairo’s firm stance towards respecting Libyan sovereignty and preserving its territorial integrity, and called for the unification of the Libyan Army.
“President El-Sisi expressed his rejection of all forms of foreign interference in Libyan internal affairs.”
You may have missed it, but South Africa’s president Cyril Ramaphosa announced that the country has secured a historic partnership with other world leaders, most notably the USA, UK, France and Germany of a R131bn (£6.2 billion) deal to finance the greening of its energy supply.
The country’s Sunday Times is blogging live from Glasgow and said the deal was “highly concessional climate financing to help transition South Africa away from coal to cleaner forms of energy.”
President Ramaphosa’s office stated: “Through the political declaration issued today to establish this partnership, partner countries will mobilise an initial $8.5bn (R131bn) over the next three to five years through a range of instruments, including grants and concessional finance to support the implementation of our revised national determination contribution through a just transition to a low carbon and climate resilient economy.”
He will be going home happy, then, as will India’s prime minister Narendra Modi (below), who has been judged by his media back home as having had a good COP. The leader of the world’s most populous nation tweeted: “Departing from Glasgow after two days of intense discussions about the future of our planet. India has not only exceeded the Paris commitments but has now also set an ambitious agenda for the next 50 years.”
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India Today reported: “A large contingent of Indian community members dressed in colourful Indian outfits had gathered to bid him farewell. PM Modi played drums along with members of the Indian community before his departure for India.”
Modi is a crowd pleaser and we particularly liked his next tweet: “It was wonderful to see many old friends in person after a long time, and meet some new ones. I am thankful to our host PM @BorisJohnson and also to the Scottish people for their warm hospitality in the beautiful Glasgow.” Haste ye back, Mr Modi.
Another sideshow was Prince Harry and Meghan Markle issuing a statement, but since the Earl of Dumbarton hasn’t even visited the town since he got the title, we’ll not be joining in the usual press sycophancy.
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