Egyptian Minister of Foreign Affairs, Emigration and Egyptian Expatriates, Badr Abdelatty, affirmed that the African agenda remains at the forefront of Egypt’s foreign policy under the leadership of President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi. Speaking at a Foreign Ministry-hosted ceremony marking Africa Day, Abdelatty highlighted Egypt’s pride in its African identity and its strong commitment to regional development and integration across the continent.
The event, held on Saturday evening, brought together senior government officials including Petroleum Minister Karim Badawi, Labor Minister Mohamed Gobran, and prominent former foreign ministers such as Amr Moussa, Mohamed el Arabi, and Sameh Shoukry.
During his address, Abdelatty underscored Egypt’s leading role in advancing African interests, noting President Sisi’s chairmanship of the Steering Committee of the Heads of State and Government Orientation Committee of the African Union Development Agency (AUDA-NEPAD). He emphasized Egypt’s active participation in African Union initiatives, particularly in the area of post-conflict reconstruction and development, with Egypt hosting the dedicated AU center for this mission.
Foreign Ministry Spokesman Tamim Khallaf echoed these remarks, stating that Abdelatty lauded Egypt’s efforts in promoting peace and development through its national agencies. He cited the Egyptian Agency of Partnership for Development and the Cairo International Center for Conflict Resolution, Peacekeeping and Peacebuilding as key institutions supporting stability across the continent.
Abdelatty stressed the importance of supporting African nations facing critical challenges, specifically mentioning Somalia and Sudan. He called for unified efforts to bolster Somalia’s institutions and empower the African Union mission on the ground, while reaffirming Egypt’s unwavering support for Sudan’s unity and territorial integrity.
On the economic front, the minister commended the growing influence of Egyptian companies operating in Africa, particularly in sectors such as construction, energy, infrastructure, and agriculture. He noted that Egyptian firms possess the expertise and capacity to lead large-scale development projects across the continent.
Looking forward, Abdelatty welcomed the proliferation of African-led economic integration initiatives, describing them as a clear sign of collective political will to advance peace, security, and sustainable development.
The ceremony served as a powerful reaffirmation of Egypt’s deep-rooted commitment to the African continent and its vision for a united, prosperous, and stable Africa. (MENA)