Egyptian Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty met with Rafael Grossi, Director-General of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), on the sidelines of the 81st session of the United Nations General Assembly in New York. The meeting took place on September 22, 2026. During their discussion, Abdelatty and Grossi reviewed the outcomes of the 70th session of the IAEA General Conference, held in Vienna from September 14 to 18.
Abdelatty commended the close cooperation and coordination between Egypt and the IAEA, highlighting the partnership's focus on promoting peaceful uses of atomic energy and strengthening the non-proliferation regime. He also praised the technical support provided by the IAEA to Egypt under the Technical Cooperation Program. Egypt values its collaboration with the IAEA, and the meeting provided an opportunity for both sides to discuss ways to further enhance their cooperation.
The meeting also touched on the upcoming seventh session of the United Nations Conference to Establish a Nuclear-Weapon-Free Zone and Other Weapons of Mass Destruction in the Middle East, scheduled for November 2026 in New York. Abdelatty expressed his hope that the conference would contribute to efforts aimed at achieving universality of the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons in the Middle East.
The discussion between Abdelatty and Grossi also covered recent regional developments, including the Iranian nuclear file. The Egyptian Foreign Minister emphasized the importance of continuing to support diplomatic efforts to contain escalation and promote peaceful solutions, which would help maintain regional security and stability.
Abdelatty stressed the need for the United Nations to play a more significant role in supporting peaceful conflict resolution and intensifying international efforts to reduce escalation and manage crises. He also highlighted the importance of promoting a culture of peace and security in the region.
Grossi shared his vision and priorities for the future of the United Nations, focusing on enhancing the organization's effectiveness in maintaining international peace and security. He discussed ways to strengthen the UN's capacity to address emerging challenges and manage conflicts.
The meeting between Abdelatty and Grossi reflects Egypt's commitment to promoting international cooperation and peace. As Grossi is also a candidate for the position of UN Secretary-General, the discussion provided valuable insights into his perspective on the role of the UN in addressing global challenges.
Key points
- Egypt's Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty met with IAEA Director-General Rafael Grossi in New York to discuss cooperation on peaceful uses of atomic energy and regional developments.
