Egyptian President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi has called for stronger cooperation among BRICS countries to address mounting global economic, security and development challenges, stressing the need to translate the bloc’s potential into practical partnerships and tangible projects that serve the interests of developing nations.
Speaking at the BRICS Summit of Heads of State and Government in New Delhi, India, President Sisi said the gathering provided an important opportunity to strengthen collective action and develop practical mechanisms to address the interconnected challenges affecting security, energy, trade and global supply chains.
“The BRICS grouping holds special significance as a framework bringing together major countries of the Global South, with the potential to play a greater role in advancing South-South cooperation and addressing current challenges,” President Sisi said.
According to Presidential Spokesperson Mohamed El-Shennawy, the president highlighted the growing interdependence between security and development, particularly in light of developments in the Middle East and their impact on global trade, energy markets and supply chains.
El-Shennawy added that President Sisi stressed Egypt’s commitment to preserving the stability and freedom of international navigation, given the country’s strategic geographical location and its pivotal role in global trade.
The president also called for continued efforts within the BRICS framework to launch concrete projects and programmes that support the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), diversify sources of economic growth, enhance productivity and help narrow development and technological gaps.
Addressing the challenges posed by rising debt burdens and limited fiscal space in developing countries, President Sisi welcomed BRICS initiatives aimed at reforming the international financial architecture and developing innovative and concessional financing mechanisms.
He further underscored the importance of strengthening the role of the New Development Bank and implementing its 2027-2031 strategy, expressing Egypt’s hope that these efforts would help meet the growing financing needs of member states.
“Enhancing food, water, and energy security is of particular importance, given the rising food and energy costs and supply chain disruptions facing developing countries,” President Sisi said, calling for an integrated approach that recognises the close links between these three sectors.
The president highlighted Egypt’s efforts to develop a grain and logistics hub, describing the initiative as an important contribution to food security and to strengthening Egypt’s position as a regional centre for trade and logistics.
Co-operation on climate change
President El Sisi further called for enhanced international co-operation on climate change, particularly by facilitating developing countries’ access to climate finance and supporting a just and realistic transition towards low-emission economies that takes into account the differing circumstances, burdens and development needs of individual countries.
He described BRICS as a promising platform for building practical partnerships and contributing to a more balanced international economic and political order.
“Egypt views BRICS as a promising opportunity and an effective framework for building practical partnerships and developing an economic system and an international order that is more balanced and capable of meeting the aspirations of our nations and peoples,” he said.
In this respect, the president reaffirmed Egypt’s readiness to contribute actively to joint BRICS initiatives, strengthen partnerships and capitalise on the country’s strategic location to promote trade and investment while connecting Africa, Europe and Asia.
Sisi welcomes China’s BRICS presidency
President Sisi also welcomed China’s upcoming BRICS presidency, expressing confidence that it would build on the achievements of the Indian presidency and further strengthen cooperation among member states.
He reiterated Egypt’s aspiration to assume the BRICS presidency in the future and reaffirmed Cairo’s commitment to expanding collaboration across a range of sectors.
“We seek to turn our collective potential into tangible partnerships that advance development, promote shared interests and build a more prosperous future for our peoples,” the president said.
Earlier, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi welcomed President Sisi at the Bharat Mandapam Convention Centre, the venue of the summit, where the two leaders participated in a commemorative photograph.
President Sisi subsequently took part in the closed session for heads of delegations, entitled “Inclusive Global Governance and Strengthening Multilateralism”.
The session concluded with the adoption of the New Delhi Declaration by BRICS Leaders and the unveiling of a commemorative postage stamp marking the 20th anniversary of the proposal to establish the BRICS grouping.
Following the session, President Sisi, together with other heads of state and heads of delegation, is scheduled to visit an exhibition commemorating the 20th anniversary of the launch of BRICS.
He will also participate in a tree-planting ceremony organised by the Indian BRICS presidency before joining the official group photograph of participating heads of state, heads of government and heads of delegation.
