Minister of Foreign Affairs, Migration and Egyptian Expatriates Badr Abdelatty, on behalf of President Abdel Fattah El Sisi, participated virtually in the second session of the third Africa High-Level Forum on South-South and Triangular Cooperation for Sustainable Development (HLFSSTrC), which kicked off in Sierra Leone on Wednesday and runs till May 9.
Addressing a session titled “Africa’s potential as a key player and the future of global governance: BRICS, G20, and the G7+”, Abdelatty expressed appreciation for the African Peer Review Mechanism (APRM) for its commendable efforts in consolidating and promoting good governance across the African continent.
The current international system is going through a critical and pivotal phase in light of escalating geopolitical and economic tensions, as well as the worsening of unprecedented global challenges, Abdelatty said, emphasizing the importance of strengthen mechanisms of international cooperation and the multilateral international system to effectively address these transboundary challenges.
He added that the African continent is rich in human capital, natural resources, and promising economic assets, qualifying it to play a pivotal global role and shaping the future of global governance.
The African states have the right to fair and balanced representation within global economic decision-making institutions, the foreign minister said.
Abdelatty emphasised the importance of Africa’s participation in G20 meetings to achieve the continent’s interests and strategic priorities, particularly with regard to reforming the global financial structure, addressing the debt crisis, and ensuring fair access to funding sources.
He added that the African Union’s admission as a permanent member of the G20 as of 2023 is a historic step that reflects the continent’s advancements in the international arena.
South Africa’s current presidency of the G20 represents a unique opportunity to amplify the voice of developing countries, especially African nations, and to embed the continent’s priorities within the group’s agenda and outcomes, the Egyptian top diplomat said.
He affirmed Egypt’s full support for South Africa’s presidency and its workstream.
