Egyptian Prime Minister Mostafa Madbouly departed Cairo for New York on Monday to represent President Abdel-Fattah El-Sisi at the 81st United Nations General Assembly. Madbouly will deliver speeches, engage in high-level meetings with senior officials, and meet with representatives of major global companies. The General Assembly's general debate is set to open on Tuesday and run until 26 September, with the full session continuing until 7 September 2027.
The 81st UN General Assembly is being held under the theme "Restoring trust, managing transformation: A United Nations that delivers for all." This theme reflects concerns over international divisions, conflicts, and the ability of multilateral institutions to respond to global crises. The Assembly will bring together heads of state and government, foreign ministers, and senior representatives of the UN's 193 member states.
Alongside the general debate, the UN has scheduled five high-level meetings between 23 and 29 September. These meetings will focus on key issues such as the right to development, climate action, sea-level rise, pandemic prevention, and nuclear disarmament. On Wednesday, world leaders will mark the 40th anniversary of the Declaration on the Right to Development, examining progress towards recognizing development as an inalienable human right.
Egyptian diplomatic efforts have focused on regional conflicts and humanitarian conditions. Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty held talks in New York with UN relief chief Tom Fletcher on the Gaza and Sudan crises. Abdelatty stressed the need for unrestricted humanitarian access and greater protection for civilians. He also met with Sudanese and US officials to discuss ending Sudan's war through de-escalation and a sustainable political settlement.
Egypt has traditionally used the General Assembly to advocate for stronger African representation on the Security Council, changes to the global financial system, and greater support for developing countries. Cairo has also pressed for UN reform and action on Gaza, arguing that double standards in addressing international crises undermine confidence in the multilateral system.
The Palestinian issue is expected to remain central to Egypt's diplomatic engagements. Egypt maintains that an independent Palestinian state along the 4 June 1967 borders, with East Jerusalem as its capital, is the only basis for a lasting settlement. This position was reiterated by President El-Sisi during last year's two-state solution conference.
Madbouly led Egypt's UNGA delegation last year on behalf of El-Sisi, with a focus on Gaza, Palestinian statehood, humanitarian crises, and reform of the international system. This year, Egypt's priorities are expected to align with its long-standing positions on regional and global issues. The country's participation in the General Assembly aims to promote Egyptian interests and contribute to international efforts to address pressing global challenges.
Key points
- Egyptian Prime Minister Mostafa Madbouly leads the country's delegation to the 81st UN General Assembly in New York.
- The 81st UN General Assembly focuses on restoring trust and managing transformation in the face of international divisions and global crises.
- Egypt's diplomatic efforts at the General Assembly prioritize regional conflicts, humanitarian conditions, and Palestinian statehood.
