In a significant display of Egypt's commitment to African unity and cooperation, New El Alamein City is set to host three major African summits next month. The first summit, the El Alamein-Africa Business Forum, is scheduled for October 2, followed by the second summit of the countries that founded the New Partnership for Africa's Development (NEPAD) initiative on October 3, and the African Union's Mid-Year Summit on October 4. These events highlight Egypt's strategic importance as a bridge between Africa and Asia.
Egypt's involvement in African affairs is a cornerstone of its national security strategy, given its geographical location in the African continent and its role as a gateway to the world via the Mediterranean Sea. Egypt has been actively engaged in promoting African cooperation and development, as evidenced by its re-election as chair of the African Union in 2019, a position it last held 26 years prior. This reactivation of Egypt's role in Africa is based on principles of partnership, development, and strengthening bilateral relations with African countries.
Under President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi, Egypt has taken a proactive stance in African affairs, particularly through its leadership of the NEPAD Steering Committee since February 2024. Key achievements during Egypt's tenure include the evaluation of the first ten-year plan for Agenda 2063 and the launch of the second ten-year plan. The NEPAD Agency has also initiated the "Team Africa" project to secure funding for approximately 300 continental development projects. These projects span various sectors, including agriculture, industrial transformation, health, environment, and youth and women empowerment.
Egypt's efforts to enhance Africa's development and infrastructure are ongoing. The country emphasizes the need for stronger partnerships between Africa and international partners to improve living standards and secure a better future for African populations. Infrastructure development is seen as crucial in overcoming current global challenges. Egypt advocates for prioritizing African issues, particularly peace and security, given the ongoing conflicts in regions such as Sudan, Libya, Somalia, and the Sahel.
The Egyptian government stresses the importance of a comprehensive reform of the United Nations, aligned with international law, and the completion of the Security Council reform process. This includes achieving fair representation for Africa, as outlined in the "Ezulwini Consensus" and the "Sirte Declaration," which represent the unified African stance on addressing the historical injustice in the continent's representation within the Security Council.
The summits in New El Alamein City will provide a platform for dialogue on critical issues affecting Africa, including food and water security, climate change, and financing challenges faced by developing countries. Egypt's hosting of these events underscores its commitment to addressing these challenges and promoting African cooperation and development.
As Egypt continues to play a pivotal role in African affairs, its efforts are geared towards achieving the objectives of Agenda 2063, a strategic framework for Africa's development. The upcoming summits are expected to strengthen Egypt's partnerships with African countries and international partners, ultimately contributing to a more stable and prosperous future for the continent.
Key points
- Egypt to host three major African summits in New El Alamein City.
- The summits aim to enhance African cooperation, development, and infrastructure.
- Egypt emphasizes the need for UN reform and fair representation for Africa in the Security Council.
