Egyptian Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty met with Rafael Grossi, Director-General of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) and Argentine candidate for UN Secretary-General, on the sidelines of the 81st UN General Assembly in New York. The meeting focused on the latest developments in the Iran nuclear file and other regional issues. Abdelatty and Grossi reviewed the outcomes of the 70th IAEA General Conference, held in Vienna from September 14-18.
During the meeting, Abdelatty praised the level of cooperation and coordination between Egypt and the IAEA, reflecting their shared commitment to promoting peaceful uses of nuclear energy and strengthening the non-proliferation regime. He commended the technical support provided by the IAEA to Egypt under the Technical Cooperation Program. The two sides also discussed ways to enhance their partnership in the field of nuclear energy.
Abdelatty expressed his hope for the successful convening of the 7th UN Conference to Establish a Nuclear-Weapon-Free Zone and Other Weapons of Mass Destruction in the Middle East, scheduled for November in New York. This conference aims to support efforts to achieve universality of the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons in the Middle East and subject nuclear facilities and activities to the IAEA's comprehensive safeguards system.
The meeting also touched on recent regional developments, particularly the Iran nuclear file. Abdelatty emphasized the importance of continuing diplomatic efforts to contain escalation and promote peaceful solutions, which would help maintain regional security and stability. He stressed the need for the UN to play a more significant role in supporting peaceful conflict resolution and intensifying international efforts to reduce tensions.
Abdelatty listened to Grossi's vision and priorities for the future of UN work, including ways to enhance the effectiveness of the UN system and its ability to fulfill its responsibilities in maintaining international peace and security. This is particularly crucial in the face of increasing global challenges and escalating conflicts.
The Egyptian Foreign Minister and the IAEA Director-General also reviewed the agency's activities and programs in Egypt, focusing on the peaceful uses of nuclear energy. They discussed ways to strengthen cooperation in areas such as nuclear safety, security, and safeguards.
The meeting between Abdelatty and Grossi reflects Egypt's commitment to promoting international peace and security, as well as its support for the UN's role in addressing global challenges. The two sides reaffirmed their shared commitment to working together to address regional and international issues.
Key points
- Egypt and the IAEA have a strong partnership in promoting peaceful uses of nuclear energy and strengthening the non-proliferation regime.
- The 7th UN Conference aims to establish a nuclear-weapon-free zone in the Middle East and promote universality of the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons.
- Egypt emphasizes the importance of diplomatic efforts to contain escalation and promote peaceful solutions to regional conflicts.
