Osama Rabie, Chairman of the Suez Canal Authority (SCA) held high-level talks on Thursday with Kamal Kishore, Special Representative of the United Nations Secretary-General for Disaster Risk Reduction, to explore avenues of joint cooperation and review maritime safety measures in one of the world’s most vital waterways.
The meeting took place at the SCA’s Navigation Building in Ismailia, on the sidelines of the UN official’s visit to Egypt. It was attended by Vice Admiral Ashraf Atwa, Deputy Chairman of the Authority, and Dr. Raedan Abdulaziz Al-Saqqaf, Deputy Director of the UN Office for Disaster Risk Reduction in the Arab States.
At the outset, Rabie praised the United Nations and its affiliated institutions for their role in supporting global efforts toward peace, stability, and sustainable development. He highlighted recent signs of recovery in Suez Canal traffic, noting a relative improvement in navigation rates after a challenging period for maritime trade in the region.
He pointed to the Peace Summit held in Sharm El-Sheikh as a “pivotal milestone” in restoring stability in the Red Sea region, explaining that the summit’s outcomes have had a positive impact on the gradual return of several major international shipping lines to the area.
During the discussions, the SCA Chairman outlined the Authority’s comprehensive framework for crisis and disaster management, including preparedness measures to mitigate the impact of adverse weather conditions. He also reviewed ongoing efforts to modernize the canal’s maritime fleet through the addition of state-of-the-art vessels, aimed at enhancing navigational, logistical, and safety services for transiting ships.
Rabie reaffirmed the Authority’s commitment to strengthening navigational safety through continuous infrastructure development projects, most notably the Southern Sector Development Project. According to Rabie, the project has contributed to a 28 percent increase in navigational safety, alongside parallel investments in human capital through specialized maritime training academies affiliated with the Authority.
On his part, Kamal Kishore described the Suez Canal as far more than a conventional infrastructure project, calling it an “exceptional engineering achievement” and a sustainable global trade corridor that serves as a vital artery for both the Egyptian economy and the world economy at large.
The UN envoy expressed hope for the continuation of peace and stability in the Red Sea region, stressing their importance in ensuring the full and swift normalization of maritime navigation through Bab el-Mandeb and the Suez Canal.
Kishore commended the Suez Canal Authority’s proactive approach to managing weather-related risks, including the issuance of early forecasts and warnings on sandstorms, high waves, heavy rainfall, fog, and other challenging navigational and climatic conditions. He also praised the Authority’s investments in monitoring and securing the waterway, as well as its expansion into value-added maritime and logistical services.
The visit concluded with a maritime tour of the Suez Canal, offering the UN delegation a firsthand look at recent developments and operational achievements along the waterway.
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