Cairo: Ambassador Alaa Youssef, Chairman of State Information Service (SIS), participated in the event organized by the National Council for Women (NCW), headed by Counselor Amal Ammar, on the occasion of Africa Day, under the title "Africa: One Heart. One Future," with the attendance of Ms. Naglaa Abdel Salam, spouse of the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Emigration, Egyptian Expatriates, and International Cooperation, and the Dean of the African Diplomatic Corps, Ambassador Wafaa Bassim, member of the NCW and rapporteur of the foreign relations Committee; alongside several council members, a group of African ambassadors accredited to Egypt, and representatives of regional and international organizations.

According to State Information Service Egypt, in his speech, Ambassador Alaa Youssef emphasized that Africa Day represents an important occasion to recall the history of the continent's peoples' struggle against colonialism and to renew commitment to the principles of solidarity and joint African action. He noted that the African continent possesses the resources, human potential, and cultural heritage that qualify it to be one of the most important centers of growth and development in the world in the coming years.

SIS chairman stressed that Egypt's leadership and people are proud of their African identity and that they are always keen to enhance cooperation with the continent's countries across various fields. He explained that the Egyptian state, led by President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi, has adopted an integrated strategic vision to support sustainable development on the continent, enhance peace and security, and consolidate the principle of "African solutions to African problems."

He pointed out that over the past years, Egypt has intensified its participation in various African events and launched numerous initiatives in the fields of infrastructure, energy, capacity building, and counter-terrorism, in addition to supporting economic integration efforts through the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).

Ambassador Alaa Youssef also addressed the Egyptian state's interest in human development in Africa through training programs and knowledge sharing, praising the role played by Senghor University in preparing and qualifying African cadres in several vital fields.

SIS chairman affirmed that African women represent an essential partner in achieving development and stability, praising the role of the National Council for Women in supporting and empowering women, as well as enhancing cooperation and exchanging expertise with fraternal African nations.

Ambassador Youssef concluded that the challenges facing African continent require enhancing integration and cooperation among its countries, and working with a collective spirit to achieve the aspirations of African people for a more stable and prosperous future.