Cairo’s Top Diplomat Outlines Egypt’s Vision in High-Profile Interviews at G20

Egypt’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Immigration, and Egyptians Abroad Badr Abdelatty, conducted a series of high-profile media interviews on the sidelines of Egypt’s participation in the G20 Summit hosted this year in South Africa, according to a statement issued by the Ministry.

Abdelatty spoke with Waihiga Mwaura of BBC World News and Sophia Mokoena of SABC News, where he discussed the strategic relations between Egypt and South Africa, as well as Cairo’s invitation to take part in the summit under South Africa’s presidency. He also highlighted Egypt’s hosting of the first-ever official G20 meeting held by a non-member country, which took place in September.

During the interviews, the Foreign Minister outlined Egypt’s vision for its third consecutive, and fifth overall, participation in the G20, underscoring the significance of African representation within the group.

Abdelatty also detailed the key pillars of Egypt’s foreign policy concerning major challenges across the African continent, including developments in the Sahel region, the Horn of Africa, and Sudan.

Addressing the issue of water security, he reaffirmed Egypt’s commitment to cooperation based on international law to safeguard the interests of all Nile Basin states. He reiterated Egypt’s rejection of unilateral measures in the Eastern Nile and emphasized that Cairo will take all necessary steps, in accordance with international law, to protect its water security.

Turning to the Middle East, the Minister discussed the latest developments in Gaza, stressing the urgent need for coordinated international action to ensure the implementation of the recent UN Security Council resolution and to consolidate the ceasefire under the Sharm El-Sheikh Peace Agreement.

He underscored the importance of swiftly deploying the International Stabilization Force in Gaza, as mandated by the Security Council, to carry out its responsibilities effectively.  Abdelatty also called for an accelerated flow of humanitarian aid to alleviate the catastrophic humanitarian situation in the Gaza Strip.

Reaffirming Egypt’s longstanding position, the Foreign Minister emphasized the unity of Gaza and the West Bank, rejecting any attempts to fragment or divide the Palestinian territories. He expressed Egypt’s anticipation of broad international participation in the International Conference for the Reconstruction and Early Recovery of Gaza, which Egypt is set to host.