Journalist Ahmed Moussa reported that President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi engaged in an extensive dialogue with students and delivered critical messages to them and the public on pivotal issues:
Over the past decade, the State has undertaken numerous development projects aimed at elevating citizens' quality of life. President El-Sisi emphasized that neglecting to execute road infrastructure initiatives would have turned Cairo into a massive parking lot.
Moussa commended the strides made in road development over the last 10 years, which have eased transportation and significantly reduced travel times.
He referenced a Japanese research study conducted years ago, which warned that failing to address Cairo’s road challenges would lead to severe congestion.
The President highlighted Egypt’s desert land reclamation efforts, which have expanded agricultural land by 4.5 million feddans. These efforts were long overdue and essential to meet the demands of population growth and safeguard national food security.
Discussing urban development, President El-Sisi praised the housing projects that have transformed informal settlements into secure, modern communities. He noted that Egypt had accomplished what no other nation had—building an unprecedented number of housing units in just 10 years and relocating residents to dignified, high-quality accommodations.
On the subject of national security, the President detailed the economic impact of Houthi missile attacks on the Suez Canal, which resulted in losses of USD 7 billion within 11 months.
He underscored the immense challenges confronting Egypt and called on citizens to rally in solidarity and support Egypt during these trying times.
Lastly, President El-Sisi addressed Egypt’s pivotal role in aiding Gaza amidst the ongoing conflict. He stated that Egypt had provided nearly 70% of all humanitarian aid to Gaza’s residents, cautioning against attempts to undermine Egypt’s steadfast support for the Palestinian cause.
Dr. Salah Hashem, Professor of Planning and Development, emphasized that President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi's talk with students at the Academy had delved into several key issues, including the improvement of citizens' living standards.
He highlighted the remarkable decline in the unemployment rate, which stood at 15.4% in 2014 and has now dropped to just 6.7%. This achievement, Dr. Hashem noted, is attributable to the State’s implementation of extensive, labor-intensive development projects that have generated significant employment opportunities.
In particular, sectors like construction and urban development have achieved a 0% unemployment rate. Dr. Hashem also addressed advancements in the energy sector, citing a report by Fitch that praised Egypt’s positive energy outlook, driven by ambitious governmental initiatives.
Furthermore, Egypt climbed five spots in the global renewable energy attractiveness index, rising from 39th place in 2015 to 34th today. The country has also made a significant leap in the World Energy Index, advancing 31 positions to rank 54th, compared to its previous standing at 85th in 2014.
Dr. Tarek Fahmy, Professor of Political Science, highlighted that President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi’s remarks carried a range of messages directed at both students and the wider Egyptian population.
Chief among these was the acknowledgment of substantial achievements realized in Egypt in recent years, attributed to the State's execution of an economic reform program and its efforts to stabilize internal conditions, all while navigating a region marked by considerable unrest.
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