Today, President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi received Speakers of Arab Councils and Parliaments participating in the sixth Conference of the Arab Parliament in Cairo. The meeting was also attended by Deputy Prime Minister of the Kingdom of Bahrain H.E. Sheikh Khalid bin Abdullah Al Khalifa, President of the Arab Parliament, Mr. Adel Bin AbdulRahman Alasoomi, and Speaker of the House of Representatives, Counselor Hanafy Gebaly.

Spokesman for the Presidency, Counselor Dr. Ahmed Fahmy, said the Speakers the Arab Councils and Parliaments congratulated President El-Sisi on taking the constitutional oath for a new presidential term, which demonstrates the Egyptian people’s confidence in his leadership and the development path pursued by the state. President El-Sisi welcomed Egypt’s guests and emphasized the significant responsibility entrusted to the Arab Councils and Parliaments to advance the path of Arab integration, to fulfill the aspirations of our peoples for security, development, and stability, as well as the vital role of parliamentary diplomacy in defending Arab just causes in various regional and international fora and before the international public opinion.

President El-Sisi commended the current session of the Arab Parliament for addressing several important topics, notably Artificial Intelligence, to ensure keeping pace with the current age and addressing its challenges. The President reiterated Egypt’s full support for enhancing joint parliamentary action across all levels. This was appreciated by the attendees, who welcomed Egypt’s significant role and its leadership in spearheading efforts in support of joint parliamentary action.

The meeting discussed developments in the region, reviewing the current challenges that necessitate unified Arab positions and solidarity to address regional crises, and support the nation-state and its institutions to achieve security, stability, and development for the Arab peoples.

The discussions also tackled the current situation in the Palestinian Territories. The Speakers of Arab parliaments commended Egypt’s pivotal role in supporting the Palestinian people and for their just cause. They expressed deep appreciation and respect for Egypt’s historical stance in firmly rejecting the displacement of Palestinians from their lands, thus preventing attempts to liquidate the Palestinian issue. They also lauded Egypt’s efforts in leading and managing the delivery of humanitarian aid and relief, and its perseverance in carrying out this process despite the significant obstacles.

President El-Sisi also reviewed Egypt’s efforts to reach calm in Gaza and to protect the region from an expansion of the conflict. The President reiterated that the utmost priority is to stop the bloodshed of the Palestinian people through intensive engagement with the various international and regional parties so as to achieve a ceasefire, exchange detainees and prisoners, and deliver sufficient humanitarian aid to alleviate the worsening humanitarian crisis in the sector. He reaffirmed that intensive efforts will continue on all fronts to support the rights of the Palestinian people, particularly their right to an independent state along the June 4, 1967 borders with East Jerusalem as its capital.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Presidency of the Arab Republic of Egypt.

An Eritrean delegation led by Mr. Petros Tsegai, Eritrea’s Ambassador to the Russian Federation, participated in the 14th Euro-Asia Economic Forum held in Petersburg from 22 to 24 April.

The forum was organized in cooperation with the Russian Ministry of Education and Science, Ural Economics University, and the Petersburg Municipality. The objective of the forum was to encourage university students, youth, and researchers and to create a common understanding between university students from across the world. Participants included 17,000 ambassadors, diplomats, university presidents, and researchers from 114 countries.

Representing the diplomatic community, Ambassador Petros highlighted the importance of economic sovereignty in the progress of nations. He detailed Eritrea’s stance on creating a world order based on self-reliance, mutual respect, and cooperation.

Additionally, Ambassador Petros discussed the growing bilateral ties between Eritrea and the Russian Federation, emphasizing that these relationships are grounded in the same principles.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Ministry of Information, Eritrea.

On the 25th of April 2024, Mr. Kenneth Racombo, Seychelles resident Ambassador in Brussels, presented his credentials to the Grand Duke of Luxembourg, His Royal Highness Henri of Luxembourg.

During the ceremony, Ambassador Racombo had the opportunity to discuss various issues of shared interests to both countries. Discussions focused on the development of the Blue Economy, Climate Change effects, Maritime Security issues, specificities of Small Islands Developing States and cooperation through the European Union.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Tourism – Foreign Affairs Department, Republic of Seychelles.

Economic Commission for Africa, Executive Secretary, Claver Gatete, has challenged African youth to raise their voice in shaping the future development of the continent ahead of the Summit of the Future.

Opening the African Youth Consultative Forum on the UN Summit for Future held in Addis Ababa, Mr. Gatete, emphasized the importance of investing in the ‘youth divided’ and challenged young people to amplify their voice and participate in global affairs in shaping the future of Africa.

“Youth must participate in the issues that matter to the Common Agenda of the United Nations which has 12 commitments, from where the issues are being drawn for the Summit of the future in September 2024 as well as the Social Summit in 2025, where the youth must be involved,” said Mr. Gatete.

Mr. Gatete noted that 70 percent of the population in Africa are young people and that by 2030, 42 percent of the global youth will be from Africa. This dynamic is reflective of how the youth should be treated.

“You cannot have the future without developing the youth of today and the youth of tomorrow. Youth have to participate in all spheres of the implementation of the SDGs by 2030 and what be involved in achieving the targets,” he said calling for a stronger role of the youth in Agenda 2063.”

The UN Common Agenda is the UN Secretary-General’s vision for the future of global cooperation, calling for inclusive, networked, and effective multilateralism to better respond and deliver for the people and planet.

Mr. Gatete elaborated on the multiplicity of challenges being faced by African countries, including the cascading impact of COVID-19, the debt servicing burden and lack of access to affordable financing and the ongoing push for the reform of the global financial architecture to meet the needs of African countries.

“It is therefore critical for the youth to have a say in these discussions so that their ideas are considered in the Summit of the Future in September 2024,” he said, adding, “We need your voice and your contribution; this is the time to make your contribution.”

Of the 12 commitments in our Common Agenda, the 11th commitment is about listening and working with the youth,” Mr. Gatete said.

“You cannot have a summit of the future without the people of the future,” the ECA Director of Strategic Planning, Oversight&Results Division (SPORD), Said Adejumobi said. “The future can only be defined in the context of the present, you are not only leaders of tomorrow but leaders of today.”

For her part, Mutetsi Oliver, Vice President of Eastern Africa, Pan African Youth Union said young people were eager to participate in shaping the future of Africa but should be supported to thrive on the continent. She noted that insecurity was a major challenge on the continent as was rising unemployment and lack of access to education, health, and social services to young people.

“We employ young people to put their government to task to give them start-up capital just like others do with investors as well as access to land and loans, Ms. Oliver said, calling for the prioritization and provision of sexual, reproductive, and mental health services to young people.

Mr. Matthias Naab, Director, the United Nations Development Programme, RSCA, representing Ms. Ahunna Eziakonwa, Assistant Secretary-General and Director of UNDP Africa Bureau, said the Africa Youth Forum was a pivotal moment for young people as Africa reiterated its dedication to multilateralism to pave the way to a promising future for the youth.

Mr. Naab said the world is far from achieving the SDGs, and as Africa races to achieve Agenda 2030 and the SDGs, the Summit of the Future was a beacon of hope while the Youth Forum offered an opportunity to articulate the positions, thoughts, priorities, and urgencies of young African towards the Summit of the future.

“Youth empowerment is both a goal and mission and the young people represent great minds with a potential to transform Africa,” said Nr. Naab.

Daniel, Adugna from the African Union Commission AUC, said Africa is already the youngest continent and it must invest in developing its young people. He said the integration of Africa was at the forefront of Agenda 2063 and would unlock economic opportunities for the continent.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (ECA).