Egyptian Prime Minister Mostafa Madbouly, representing President Abdel Fattah Al-Sissi, participated in a summit convened by US President Donald Trump on September 22, on the sidelines of the 81st session of the United Nations General Assembly in New York. The summit brought together countries from the Gulf, Turkey, Iraq, Jordan, Syria, and Lebanon to discuss the latest developments in the Middle East and ways to reduce tensions in the region. Madbouly was accompanied by Egyptian Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty, Ambassador to Washington Mohamed Hamdy Al-Molla, and Permanent Representative to the UN Ehab Awad.
The summit aimed to preserve common interests and meet the aspirations of regional peoples for peace, development, and prosperity. The discussions focused on finding political and diplomatic solutions to the crises in the region. This meeting took place in parallel with the 81st session of the UN General Assembly, which began on September 22, with around 130 heads of state and government in attendance. The UN summit provides a platform for leaders to address pressing global issues and engage in bilateral and multilateral discussions.
Tensions between Washington and Tehran have been a central concern in the region, with Trump threatening to "annihilate" Iran at the UN. However, he also announced the resumption of dialogue with Iran, paving the way for new exchanges to resolve the conflict. Iranian President Massoud Pezeshkian, who is also in New York for the UN session, is set to address the General Assembly. The developments have added significance to the discussions on de-escalation at the regional summit.
On the same day, indirect contacts between US and Iranian officials resumed in New York, with the strategic Strait of Hormuz being a key point of contention. Trump stated that his special envoys, Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner, had met with mediators to discuss a potential agreement to end the conflict with Iran. According to Iranian state TV, Tehran outlined its conditions for reopening the strategic waterway.
The Gaza issue was also a major topic of discussion at the summit. The meeting acknowledged Trump's efforts to promote peace in the region and implement his plan for Gaza, including its second phase. This phase aims to consolidate the ceasefire, ensure humanitarian aid delivery, and alleviate the suffering of the Palestinian population. Egypt emphasizes the need for a serious political horizon to achieve a just and lasting resolution to the Palestinian question.
The Egyptian position, as expressed at the summit, links the pursuit of regional de-escalation to the need for political and diplomatic solutions to crises. Madbouly highlighted the challenges in achieving the UN's objectives due to the rise in global conflicts. The summit's call for political and diplomatic solutions aligns with Egypt's stance on addressing regional crises.
The UN summit and related discussions reflect the complex dynamics at play in the Middle East, with multiple channels of dialogue being explored alongside threatening rhetoric. Egypt's advocacy for de-escalation and diplomatic solutions underscores the need for cooperation and negotiation to address pressing regional issues.
Key points
- Egypt's Prime Minister Mostafa Madbouly attended a UN summit convened by US President Donald Trump to discuss Middle East conflicts and advocate for de-escalation.
- The summit brought together regional countries to address tensions and promote political and diplomatic solutions to crises.
- Egypt emphasized the need for a serious political horizon to achieve a just and lasting resolution to the Palestinian question.
