Prime Minister Mostafa Madbouly has reaffirmed Egypt’s commitment to advancing the right to development, stressing that the right cannot be realised amid ongoing conflicts, occupation, displacement, the destruction of infrastructure, and the deprivation of resources and basic necessities.
Speaking on behalf of President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi at the high-level meeting marking the 40th anniversary of the UN Declaration on the Right to Development, held during the 81st session of the UN General Assembly, Madbouly said the Declaration marked a milestone in the evolution of the international human rights system by linking human rights with development, national responsibility with international cooperation, and people’s participation in development with their equitable enjoyment of its benefits.
He noted that Egypt was among the countries that voted in favour of the Declaration and has remained a steadfast supporter of its principles, while highlighting the persistent gap between recognition of the right to development and the ability to exercise it in practice.
He attributed mounting pressures on developing countries to conflicts and geopolitical and economic crises that threaten development gains.
Madbouly called for a more favourable international environment and a fairer and more equitable international economic and financial system capable of addressing debt burdens, supporting technology transfer and capacity-building, removing structural barriers to development, refraining from unilateral coercive measures inconsistent with international law, and strengthening international co-operation and solidarity.
He outlined Egypt’s efforts to translate the right to development into policies centred on citizens, citing investments in transport, energy, drinking water, sanitation, health and education, alongside expanded social safety nets and measures to empower women, youth and persons with disabilities.
The Prime Minister highlighted the prioritisation of rural and underserved areas through national initiatives, foremost among them the presidential “Decent Life” (Hayah Karima) initiative, which he described as a model for local development.
On Palestine, Madbouly affirmed that the Palestinian people’s right to development is inseparable from their right to self-determination and the establishment of an independent state based on the 4 June 1967 lines, with East Jerusalem as its capital.
Egypt, he added, welcomes ongoing efforts to establish a binding international legal framework through constructive dialogue that promotes consensus while preserving the essence of the right to development.
