Cairo: Minister of Foreign Affairs, Emigration and Expatriates Badr Abdelatty chaired the fifth ministerial meeting of the Supreme Permanent Committee for Human Rights. The meeting was attended by key figures including Maya Morsy, Minister of Social Solidarity; Mahmoud Fawzy, Minister of Parliamentary, Legal and Political Communication Affairs; Adnan Fangari, Minister of Justice; Diaa Rashwan, President of the State Information Service; Iman Karim, General Supervisor of the National Council for Persons with Disabilities; and Wael Abdel Razek, Secretary-General of the National Council for Motherhood and Childhood, alongside representatives from relevant national bodies. According to State Information Service Egypt, Abdelatty, who presides over the committee, expressed his appreciation for the efforts of all members and the technical secretariat in finalizing the fourth executive report on the National Human Rights Strategy. This report, submitted to President Abdel Fattah El Sisi on September 30, highlights a growing number of actions taken across all pillars of the strategy. Abdelatty emphasized that the annual issuance of the report for four consecutive years demonstrates strong political will at the highest levels to monitor implementation, showcasing the comprehensive efforts by state institutions to advance human rights and improve the lives of Egyptian citizens. Abdelatty noted that the report's submission comes ahead of the UN Human Rights Council elections, where Egypt is seeking membership for the 2026-2028 term. These elections are scheduled to take place today in New York. He underscored the significance of this milestone, reflecting Egypt's progress in the right direction and highlighted President Sisi's directives to intensify efforts to fully implement the National Human Rights Strategy. The meeting aimed to discuss Egypt's stance regarding the recommendations from the Universal Periodic Review session on human rights held earlier this year, as well as to follow up on the implementation of accepted recommendations. It also addressed Egypt's candidacy for membership in the United Nations Human Rights Council. Abdelatty stated that this candidacy would reflect the significant progress in Egypt's human rights system under President Sisi's guidance. He reviewed the foreign ministry's efforts over recent months, including thorough technical preparation, a comprehensive promotional strategy for the candidacy, and increased engagement with UN human rights mechanisms. Morsy emphasized that the next phase of the National Human Rights Strategy will witness further development in national efforts. She highlighted the importance of updating the current strategy to incorporate contemporary issues such as digital technology, non-discrimination, and the right to development. She also stressed the importance of the right to humanitarian relief as a fundamental human right and reviewed Egypt's efforts in regional crises, particularly its support for the population of Gaza, praising the role of the Egyptian Red Crescent . She affirmed that humanitarian work is an integral part of the state's human rights obligations. Fangari highlighted the need for the upcoming strategy to reflect the new laws and legislation recently adopted, illustrating the country's legislative progress. He outlined the public services provided by the state, including judicial services, especially efforts to facilitate access to essential services in rural and underprivileged areas, thereby reinforcing the right to development. He stressed the importance of strengthening women's rights, especially in the judiciary, as a key pillar of justice and equality. The meeting concluded with an interactive discussion where participants exchanged views on the efforts undertaken by national entities to advance a comprehensive human rights framework across political, economic, social, and cultural dimensions. It also addressed legislative developments aimed at strengthening and safeguarding human rights in Egypt.