Egyptian Prime Minister Mostafa Madbouly delivered a speech at the 81st Session of the UN General Assembly in New York, highlighting Egypt's concerns over water security. He stressed that it is an existential matter that allows for no compromise. Madbouly made the remarks on behalf of President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi. Egypt's water security is a pressing issue, given its historical water shares and the need to safeguard its rights. Madbouly's address emphasized the importance of cooperation and development.
Madbouly called for strengthening effective multilateralism and restoring confidence in the international system. He emphasized that the world requires a system that ensures every nation has a voice, respects the principle of sovereign equality, and commits to upholding international law and the peaceful settlement of disputes. The Prime Minister noted that the crisis lies not in a lack of principles but in the widening gap between what is proclaimed and what is implemented. This gap affects those who make decisions and those affected by them.
The Prime Minister explained that the world does not need superficial multilateralism that merely gathers nations for discussions. Rather, it requires a system in which every state has a voice and all peoples can enjoy a fair share of decisions, opportunities, and resources. He noted the declining confidence in the efficacy of collective action and the multilateral system. Madbouly emphasized the urgent need to restore adherence to international law and to avoid policies of polarization and double standards.
Madbouly presented Egypt's comprehensive vision regarding various regional and international issues. He emphasized that Palestine's turmoil stands as the most prominent testament to the flaws within the international system and its credibility. The Palestinian people must not be allowed to become a normalized reality, he stressed. Madbouly called for consolidating the ceasefire in the Gaza Strip, halting violations, and ensuring the sustainable delivery of humanitarian aid.
The Prime Minister reiterated Egypt's categorical rejection of any attempts to displace Palestinians from their land. He further declared Egypt's rejection of the fragmentation of regional states or the creation of entities parallel to their national institutions. Madbouly warned that support for armed groups and the undermining of state sovereignty fuel civil conflicts and threaten regional security as well as international navigation.
Madbouly called for a comprehensive reform of the UN Security Council and the international financial system. This reform aims to ensure equitable representation and decision-making, and better support the emerging economies of the Global South without imposing additional burdens. He emphasized the inextricable link between climate action, development, and poverty eradication. On the topic of technology and military affairs, he stressed the importance of formulating comprehensive frameworks for artificial intelligence governance.
In conclusion, Madbouly's address to the UN General Assembly emphasized the importance of restoring trust in the international system. He highlighted the need for fairness in representation, decision-making, and the application of the law. The Prime Minister's vision does not aim to rebuild the global system from scratch but rather to fulfill its original promises and objectives. Egypt's commitment to a stronger multilateral system and effective international cooperation remains unwavering.
Key points
- Egypt's water security is an existential issue that allows for no compromise.
- Madbouly calls for strengthening effective multilateralism and restoring confidence in the international system.
- Egypt rejects any attempts to displace Palestinians from their land and supports a two-state solution.
