Foreign Minister Badr Abdel-Aati inaugurated on Sunday the seventh edition of the Egyptians Abroad Conference, organised by the ministry under the theme “No Matter How Far We Are, Egypt Brings Us Together”.
The two-day event brings together more than 1,000 Egyptians from over 30 countries to discuss ways of strengthening ties with their homeland and expanding their contribution to Egypt’s development.
The opening session was attended by several Cabinet members, MPs, senior government officials, representatives of national institutions and media figures.
Prime Minister Moustafa Madbouli delivered a recorded address in which he reaffirmed the state’s commitment to Egyptians overseas, describing them as an integral part of the nation and key partners in Egypt’s development journey.
He said the government would continue expanding policies, initiatives and services aimed at strengthening their ties with Egypt while harnessing their expertise and capabilities to support the country’s comprehensive development.
In his keynote address, Abdel-Aati said protecting the rights and dignity of Egyptians abroad and providing them with the best possible services remained a national priority, in line with directives from President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi.
He stressed that the Foreign Ministry would continue developing services and initiatives for Egyptian expatriates. The ministry’s priorities are guided by recommendations issued at the annual conference, alongside its ongoing engagement with Egyptian communities worldwide in co-operation with relevant ministries and national institutions, he said.
Reviewing progress over the past year, Abdel-Aati highlighted significant improvements in consular services, including expanded digital services, reduced passport issuance times to less than two weeks and shorter processing times for digitised birth certificates, to between three and five days.
He also announced the expansion of document authentication offices from 15 to around 40, including mobile units, and unveiled the first phase of an interactive online platform to digitise consular transactions.
The minister also outlined the Foreign Ministry’s efforts to support Egyptian nationals amid ongoing regional developments.
An around-the-clock crisis unit has been established to co-ordinate with Egypt’s diplomatic and consular missions in countries facing security challenges and respond immediately to emergencies involving Egyptian citizens, whether residents or visitors, the chief diplomat said.
The ministry has also held virtual meetings with Egyptian communities abroad to hear their concerns.
Abdel-Aati reviewed progress on several flagship initiatives launched in partnership with other government bodies, including “Your Home in Egypt”, “Your Farm in Egypt”, “Open Your Account in Egypt”, “Your School in Egypt” and “Your Treatment in Egypt”, in addition to the social protection umbrella for Egyptians abroad and the Cultural Salon for Egyptians Abroad.
Concluding his remarks, the foreign minister reaffirmed that caring for Egyptians abroad was a national responsibility that the state was proud to fulfil.
He said maintaining close communication with expatriate communities, listening to their concerns and responding to their needs would remain among the Foreign Ministry’s highest priorities.
He voiced confidence that the conference’s discussions and recommendations would generate new opportunities, practical solutions and additional benefits for Egyptians living abroad while advancing Egypt’s national development goals.
