Egypt and the United Nations: 80 Years of Partnership

The Nasser International Forum has announced the launch of the fifth edition of the Nasser Fellowship for International Leadership, under the theme: "Egypt and the United Nations: 80 Years Representing the Global South." 

The fellowship is set to take place in the coming period under the patronage of Egyptian President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi, with the participation of 150 young men and women from diverse executive and influential leadership backgrounds worldwide.

Anthropologist Hassan Ghazaly, Founder of the Nasser International Forum, stated that the theme of the fifth edition of the Nasser Fellowship for International Leadership—"Egypt and the United Nations: 80 Years Representing the Global South"—was chosen to highlight Egypt’s role as a founding member of the United Nations in 1945 and its continued leadership in championing Global South issues. 

Egypt has maintained a strategic vision that balances its commitment to international justice with its pursuit of sustainable development in developing nations. For 80 years, Egypt has served as a model of national dedication and global openness, striving to amplify the voice of the Global South and foster cooperation among its members. 

Since the early days, Egypt played an active role in drafting the UN Charter, recognizing the organization as a vital platform for advocating the interests of developing nations.

Ghazaly further emphasized that Egypt played a pivotal role in the independence of several African and Asian nations during the 1950s and 1960s. Even before these countries attained independence, Egypt spearheaded diplomatic efforts within the UN by facilitating the representation of national leaders at the UN General Assembly. 

Driven by its firm belief in Global South solidarity, Egypt persistently advocated for decolonization and self-determination. With the evolution of the UN’s role in supporting sustainable development, Egypt has remained at the forefront of efforts to advance development initiatives within the Global South, aligning with the United Nations 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. 

In recent years, Egypt has spearheaded multiple initiatives and placed significant emphasis on strengthening South-South cooperation.

It is worth noting that the Nasser Fellowship for International Leadership was first launched in 2019 as the first African-African youth fellowship, coinciding with Egypt’s chairmanship of the African Union. 

The program, initiated under the auspices of the Egyptian Cabinet, was designed to provide firsthand exposure to Egypt’s developmental model, aligning with Egypt’s leading role in South-South cooperation. 

Following its successful first edition, the fellowship received the esteemed patronage of President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi in its second (2021), third (2022), and fourth (2023) editions. 

Over time, the program has expanded beyond Africa to include participants from Asia, Australia, Latin America, and Europe, while maintaining Africa as its cornerstone since its inception.