CAIRO – 4 May 2025: Egyptian Minister of Foreign Affairs Badr Abdelatty held a meeting with the directors of the United Nations’ regional offices in Cairo, on Saturday.
During the meeting, Minister Abdelatty praised the long-standing partnership between Egypt and the United Nations, affirming the government's commitment to supporting UN offices in Cairo and the programs and initiatives they implement.
Discussions focused on enhancing the role of UN agencies operating in Egypt amid evolving regional and international challenges. The Minister emphasized the need for coherence and sustainability in the work of these organizations, aligning with Egypt’s national priorities.
The discussions mainly focused on water scarcity and the rational management of water resources, education—particularly technical and vocational training—and the integration of technology in education, all within the framework of Egypt’s Vision 2030.
Minister Abdelatty reaffirmed Egypt’s unwavering commitment to the principles of the UN Charter and highlighted Egypt’s longstanding, pioneering role within the UN system. He emphasized Egypt’s belief in multilateralism as the most effective approach to addressing global challenges.
He also commended the UN’s ongoing humanitarian and development efforts, particularly in conflict-affected regions, underscoring the strategic importance of maintaining regional UN offices in Egypt. These offices not only support Egypt’s development objectives but also assist in addressing the needs of migrant and refugee communities.
Minister Abdelatty expressed Egypt’s deep appreciation for the leadership of UN Secretary-General António Guterres, especially his support for the Arab-Islamic Plan for the Reconstruction of Gaza. The plan includes urgent measures for humanitarian relief, early recovery, and reconstruction in cooperation with the Palestinian people. He also highlighted Egypt’s ongoing coordination with the United Nations to organize an international conference in support of the plan.
In this context, Minister Abdelatty strongly condemned Israeli actions aimed at worsening the humanitarian crisis in the Gaza Strip, particularly the deliberate obstruction of humanitarian aid deliveries for more than two months and the use of starvation as a method of collective punishment. He reiterated Egypt’s firm position on the indispensable role of the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA) under the current circumstances.
He further condemned the Israeli airstrike on the vicinity of the Presidential Palace in Damascus, calling it a blatant violation of Syrian sovereignty and territorial integrity. The Minister warned of the grave risks posed by ongoing Israeli policies, which continue to escalate tensions in the region.
The meeting concluded with an interactive dialogue between the Minister and the UN regional office directors. The humanitarian relief representatives expressed their deep concern over the deteriorating humanitarian situation in Gaza, citing empty warehouses, depleted food and medical supplies, and mounting financial challenges amid global uncertainties.
Sun, May. 4, 2025
