Cairo Hosts Conference Celebrating 80 Years of Egypt-UN Partnership

In commemoration of the 80th anniversary of the United Nations' establishment, the conference titled “Egypt and the United Nations: Eighty Years of Contribution” commenced today in Cairo. 

The event is organized in collaboration with the Egyptian Ministry of Foreign Affairs' Department of Multilateral Affairs and International Security, the United Nations system in Egypt, and the Faculty of Economics and Political Science at Cairo University.

The conference aims to review the longstanding partnership between Egypt and the UN and highlight Egypt's active role in promoting international peace, security, and development.

The opening session was attended by Ambassador Amr Al-Goweili, Assistant Foreign Minister for Multilateral Affairs and International Security; Elena Panova, UN Resident Coordinator in Egypt; Dr. Mohamed Sami Abdel-Sadek, President of Cairo University; and Dr. Hanan Ali, Dean of the Faculty of Economics and Political Science and Chair of the Conference. 

The event also welcomed a distinguished audience of officials, experts, academics, and representatives from various UN agencies in Egypt.

In her opening remarks, Elena Panova emphasized the significance of Egypt's role within the United Nations. “As a founding member of the UN, Egypt has a distinguished track record over the past 80 years, as a responsible, substantive, and committed multilateral partner,” Panova noted. 

She further highlighted Egypt's historic leadership, stating, “The leadership role of Egypt stretches back to the founding of the Non-Aligned Movement and is visible to date in the voice of authority that Egypt brings to the G77.”

The conference features a series of panel discussions showcasing Egypt's diverse contributions to the UN system:

The first session focused on Egypt's role in maintaining international peace and security, including its efforts in disarmament and peacekeeping missions. It was chaired by Prof. Mohamed Salman Tayie, Professor of Political Science at Cairo University, with contributions from Ambassador Saifallah Kandil, Director of the Cairo International Center for Conflict Resolution, Peacekeeping, and Peacebuilding, alongside other senior officials.

The second session examined Egypt’s impact on international development, covering global economic relations, environmental issues, climate change, and urban development. Speakers included Ambassador Wael Aboulmagd, Assistant Foreign Minister for Climate, Environment, and Sustainable Development; Alessandro Fracassetti, Resident Representative of the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) in Egypt; and Ahmed Rizk, Director of the United Nations Human Settlements Programme (UN-Habitat) Office in Egypt, among other specialists.

The third session highlighted Egypt’s contributions to specialized international agencies and regional economic communities, while the fourth session explored Egypt's involvement in empowering women, healthcare, population issues, and food security. 

Panelists included Jean-Pierre Demargerie, Country Director of the World Food Programme (WFP) in Egypt; Dr. Naeema Al-Gasseer, WHO Representative in Egypt; Marwa Elmadany, Acting Representative of UN Women in Egypt; Yves Sassenrath, UNFPA Representative in Egypt; and Dr. Ahmed Mokhtar, Director of Technical and Economic Programs at the FAO Regional Office for the Near East and North Africa.

This conference reflects the commitment of Egypt and the United Nations to strengthening their partnership to achieve shared goals in sustainable development, international peace, and security. It serves as a platform for constructive dialogue among experts and policymakers to shape future collaboration and support Egypt’s role within the UN system.

The conference is scheduled to conclude tomorrow with the release of recommendations aimed at enhancing cooperation between Egypt and the United Nations, contributing to sustainable development, stability, and prosperity.