Cairo: Minister of Foreign Affairs, Emigration and Egyptian Expatriates Badr Abdelatty underlined the importance that Egypt continues offering technical support for Arab and African countries through transferring expertise and providing specialized training programs. The top diplomat made the remarks during a meeting with Civil Aviation Minister Sameh Hefni on Saturday.
According to State Information Service Egypt, the two ministers discussed Egypt's election on September 27 to the Council of the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) under Category II during the organization's 42nd General Assembly. This move reflects Egypt's recognized standing in civil aviation and the confidence placed in its role within specialized international bodies. The meeting also addressed Egypt's effective role within the ICAO organization, its commitment to multilateral collective work, and its contributions to shaping global initiatives on environmental sustainability, carbon emissions reduction, and the development of digital solutions in air traffic management.
The top diplomat emphasized the importance of artificial intelligence applications in advancing peace, security, and development across the African continent. He highlighted that Egypt is among the countries most adversely affected by the ongoing escalation in the Gulf of Aden and Red Sea regions, as well as the instability in neighboring Yemen. Egypt has suffered losses exceeding $9 billion in just one year due to a sharp decline in revenues from the Suez Canal, a global maritime corridor, Abdelatty said. He noted that while more than 72 vessels used to pass through the canal daily, that number has now dropped to just 25-30 container ships per day, significantly impacting Egypt's economy and global trade.
Abdelatty expressed confidence in the restoration of security and stability in the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden regions, particularly following the cessation of hostilities in Gaza. He stated there is no longer any justification for any party to exploit the suffering of the Palestinian people to legitimize aggression, escalation, or to advance personal agendas. Abdelatty unveiled Egypt's intention to launch the Suez and Red Sea Initiative, part of the country's efforts to enhance economic integration among Red Sea nations. The top diplomat stressed that all key discussions emerging from the forum will be translated into practical action through the Cairo International Center for Conflict Resolution, Peacekeeping and Peacebuilding (CCCPA), in cooperation with partners.
This will be achieved through a series of programs, capacity-building activities, and tangible initiatives implemented throughout the year, aimed at addressing real-world challenges and drawing lessons from their execution in preparation for the next edition of the forum. He noted that this year's forum will witness the signing of several memoranda of understanding (MoUs) to establish new partnerships, reinforcing Aswan Forum's role as a live model for fostering constructive cooperation. Abdelatty also extended his deep appreciation to the forum's partners for their continued support.
The minister further highlighted the significance of this year's High-Level Annual Retreat of the African Union Commission Chairperson's Special Envoys and Representatives, which aims to strengthen peace, security, and stability across the continent. The meeting is scheduled to take place immediately following the forum, with the participation of African Union Deputy Chairperson and Commissioner for Political Affairs, Peace and Security Bankole Adeoye. This marks the first time that the Aswan Forum and the annual retreat are being held back-to-back, Abdelatty noted, expressing hope that this will deepen the synergy between the two platforms, especially as the high-level retreat itself was launched under an Egyptian initiative and has been hosted by Egypt on several occasions. Abdelatty stressed the need to seize the current moment to establish a global system that restores faith in humanity, international cooperation, multilateralism, and the rules-based order.