Cairo: President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi engaged in discussions with His Highness Prince Rahim Aga Khan, Chairman of the Aga Khan Development Network (AKDN), during a meeting attended by Egypt's Minister of Foreign Affairs, Emigration and Egyptian Expatriates, Dr. Badr Abdel-Atty, and Mr. Luis Monreal, General Manager of the Aga Khan Trust for Culture.

According to State Information Service Egypt, President El-Sisi began by extending his congratulations to Prince Rahim Aga Khan on his recent appointment. He acknowledged the significant contributions made by Prince Rahim's late father, His Highness the Late Prince Karim Aga Khan, in guiding the AKDN to play a prominent role in global development, especially in social, economic, and environmental sectors, as well as in preserving Islamic cultural heritage.

President El-Sisi expressed gratitude for the Aga Khan Development Network's longstanding contributions in Egypt, which have supported the country's efforts towards sustainable development and improved living standards. He highlighted the network's involvement in projects aimed at preserving Egypt's historic Islamic heritage and the enhancement of basic services in line with Egypt Vision 2030. The President also outlined key national initiatives, such as "Decent Life," "100 Million Health," and "Bidaya for Human Development," which are integral to human development and empowering citizens to engage in development processes.

Discussions during the meeting included efforts to renovate Egyptian neighborhoods and restore historical landmarks, reflecting their archaeological significance. There was also dialogue on potential areas for future collaboration.

Prince Rahim Aga Khan expressed his deep appreciation for Egypt's regional and international influence during his first official visit to the country. He reaffirmed the AKDN's dedication to strengthening cooperation with the Egyptian government, particularly in education, agriculture, and climate change adaptation, with a focus on Upper Egypt. He emphasized the value of applying the network's expertise in Cairo's urban and environmental projects to other areas. Prince Rahim also praised Egypt's advancements in human development, underscoring that investing in people is essential for achieving prosperity and sustainable growth.